HC Deb 01 December 1992 vol 215 cc100-1W
Mr. Mackinlay

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what part of the Chester tower at Windsor castle has been open to the public; and on what occasions this has occurred over the past five years.

Mr. Brooke

The Chester tower is not open to the public. It comprises a small number of state rooms which are used for state occasions only, together with office and staff accommodation.

Mr. Mackinlay

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what insurance against fire loss or damage exists in relation to the fabric of Windsor castle and the furnishings and artefacts therein.

Mr. Brooke

[holding answer 30 November]: The fabric of the occupied royal palaces has never been insured since it is almost impossible to put a value on such buildings. Where damage occurs, the cost of repairs is met from the annual works programme funded by my Department. The Government bear insurance risks themselves, since it is far more economic to do this than to pay annual premiums on Crown property.

Items in the royal collection are insured against damage but not loss. Other contents are insured.