§ Mr. BerminghamTo ask the President of the Council what the cost is for each 15 minute period the House sits after 10 pm. [157751]
§ Mr. KirkwoodI have been asked to reply. It has been estimated that in a typical full year the cost of the House sitting after 10 pm is some £750,000. The average cost per night is around £10,000.
The main costs associated with late night sittings arise from allowances to staff, overtime for staff of the House and the Metropolitan police, and late night transport.
It would not be meaningful to break these costs down by 15 minute increments after 10 pm.