§ Mr. Spearingasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the total cost to date of the new international conference centre in Westminster; what is his latest estimate of the total cost; and if he will list the references or describe (a) the uses to which it will be put, (b) the charge to non-Governmental organisations, if it is made available to them and (c) his estimate of the annual revenue cost.
§ Sir George YoungExpenditure to 22 February 1985 on the construction and fitting out of the superstructure of the international conference centre (including the fitting out of the extention to the parliamentary telephone exchange) was £26.073 million. The current total estimated cost, at cash prices, including the estimated total cost of variation of price payments, is £46.4 million. The estimated cost of furnishings is £5.3 million. The current estimate of total cost of £54.775 million in Supply Estimates 1985–86 at constant 1985–86 prices includes furnishings.
The centre's primary function will be to accommodate Government conferences, at both national and international level. At other times its facilities will be available on commercial terms to other users, including private sector bodies. The precise charges for these facilities have not yet been settled. Further market research is in hand as a basis for making estimates of the likely annual revenue.