HC Deb 01 May 1990 vol 171 cc483-5W
Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Prime Minister if she will provide the final figures for 1989–90 and the estimates for 1990–91 for the total cost to public funds of all her offices, duties, accommodation and expenses.

The Prime Minister

The final figure for the cost of all my offices in 1989–90 is not yet available. The estimated total cost for 1989–90 is £7,291,493. The estimated total cost for 1990–91 is £7,442,3641

Note 1Salaries and wages, notional pension liability, administration costs, and the grant in aid to the Chequers Trust are included. My salary as a Cabinet Minister is also included. My pay and allowances as a Member of this House are excluded.

Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Prime Minister if she will provide the final figures for 1989–90 and the estimate for 1990–91 for(a) the cost of maintaining and running 10 Downing street and additional costs at Chequers, (b) the grant in aid to the Chequers Trust and (c) the costs on a consistent basis and expressed at constant 1984–85 prices.

The Prime Minister

Final figures for 1989–90 are not available. The latest estimates of the figures requested are:

(a) Costs of maintaining and running 10 Downing street and additional costs at Chequers123
£
1989–90 7,256,373
1990–915 7,407,244

(b) Grant in aid to the Chequers Trust
£
1989–90 238,000
1990–91 238,000

(c) Costs at (a) and (b) in 1984–85 price terms 4
£
1989–90 (a) 5,541,552
(b) 181,756
1990–915 (a) 5,311,497
(b) 170,662
1 The figures include costs at both 10 Downing street and Chequers; the information is not available by location.
2Salaries and wages, notional pension liability, administration costs, the costs of office services and the grant in aid to the Chequers Trust are included. The Prime Minister's salary is excluded.
3 These totals are calculated on a consistent basis with the total for 1986–87 in sub-paragraph (a) of the reply to the hon. Member on 23 October 1987 at column 846. If office services costs are excluded (to produce a figure consistent with those at sub-paragraph (c) of that reply) the estimated totals are:

£ £
1989–90 6,752,798 5,156,9826
1990–91 6,810,675 4,883,7176
4 Constant costs have been calculated using the Treasury's GDP deflator for 1988–89 rebased to 1984–85.
5 Estimate.
6 At 1984–85 prices.

Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Prime Minister how much was(a) spent on official hospitality in No. 10 Downing street during 1989–90 and (b) met by her office.

The Prime Minister

Final figures for 1989–90 are not yet available. The latest estimate of expenditure by my office on official hospitality at 10 Downing street and Chequers is £27,344.

Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Prime Minister what was the total cost of her recent trip to Bermuda to meet President Bush; how many staff accompanied her; what were their functions; and who was the flight carrier.

The Prime Minister

The figures for the total cost of my meeting with President Bush in Bermuda are not yet available. I was accompanied by two officials and 17 support staff (mostly security and communications personnel). The flight was by an RAF VC10.

Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Prime Minister how many journalists accompanied her on her recent trip to Bermuda using official transport; and what was the charge per capita.

The Prime Minister

Twenty journalists travelled with me. Information on the charge per capita is not yet available.

Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Prime Minister what was the total figure for travel costs for her and her staff in 1988–89 and 1989–90.

The Prime Minister

The total cost of my travel and that of my staff in 1988–89 was £925,150. Final figures for 1989–90 are not yet available. The estimated cost is £896,103.

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