§ Mr. Grimondasked the Minister of Public Building and Works what repairs are planned for the Foreign Office; and what is the estimated cost.
§ Mr. RipponThe main items of repair work and modernisation planned for the Foreign Office block are:—
Renewal of heating equipment, installation of new radiators, and connection of the whole system to the Whitehall District Heating Scheme.
Renewal of electric wiring.
152WModernisation of sanitary services.
Renewal of lifts; construction of two new lifts.
Modernisation of communication systems.
Redecoration throughout the building.
Repair of stonework.
In addition to the modernisation work, it is proposed to provide additional office accommodation, mainly by adding a new floor behind the existing fa÷ade.
All this work, including the addition of the new floor, is likely to cost about £1½ million to £2 million. A more precise figure cannot be arrived at until detailed plans are prepared.