HC Deb 20 March 1975 vol 888 c498W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will publish in the Official Report full details of the number of Government residences occupied by Ministers; to what extent the occupation of the same includes heat, light, furniture and other amenities; and, on a basis of free market valuation, what is the estimated annual value of each such occupation.

Mr. Kaufman:

Six Government residences are customarily occupied by Ministers; the occupation is rent-free and the cost of heat, light, furniture, maintenance, water and a contribution in lieu of rates are met to the full extent by the Exchequer, although domestic service is not provided. As a free market valuation cannot be made of the premises in question it is not possible to give an estimate of the annual value of each occupation.