§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Prime Minister what was the cost of running his Office during the last 12 months; and what was the cost at today's prices(a) five and (b) 10 years ago.
§ Mr. NewtonI have been asked to reply.
267WComparative information is available only for complete financial years. The costs, at 1993–94 prices, of running my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's Office in 1983–84 and 1988–89 and the budget for 1993–94 are as follows:
£000 1983–84 5,114 1988–89 8,558 1993–94 110,710 1 Budget. Notes:
1. The figures represent the cost of 10 Downing Street and Chequers borne on the Votes of the Cabinet Office (OPSS) and its predecessors. Over the period in question the following changes have occurred to the basis of the costs:
in 1983–84 the then Property Services Agency introduced charges for buildings and services;in 1984–85 charges were introduced for the Government Car Service and the Service personnel at Chequers; andin 1986–87 the cost of office services was included for the first time.2. Costs are shown in the year in which the expenditure was made. Because of billing delays this is not always in the financial year in which the goods or services were provided.