§ Mr. Proctorasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will estimate the cost to public funds of the temporary air conditioning units in the kitchens of the House of Commons; if he will estimate the cost of installing and operating a permanent air conditioning system; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir George YoungA study to consider the feasibility of air conditioning the kitchens of the House of Commons has been undertaken and is now being evaluated by the Property Services Agency. The capital cost alone could be of the order of £500,000, and no decisions have yet been taken to authorise such expenditure. No temporary air conditioning units have been installed, but additional mechanical ventilation was installed on 23 and 24 June at a cost of some £3,000.