§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will publish in the Official Report a detailed list giving the number of houses and flats in the use of stated Ministers, where these are situated, their actual or estimated annual worth, and whether in each instance the costs of heat, light, furniture, rates, cleaning &c, are met from public funds, and at what costs; and whether, in support of the Government's policy of cuts in public expenditure, he will cease these expenditures forthwith or 458W charge the recipients according to their estimated worth.
§ Mr. MarksFour Government residences are currently occupied by Ministers and the approximate annual costs of rates, heat, light and furniture, based on the latest figures available, are as follows: —
10 Downing Street £5,200 11 Downing Street £7,800 Admiralty House (two flats) £4,175 These costs are directly related to the areas of the residences. There is no charge to public funds for their cleaning.
It is not possible to assess a realistic rental for these types of property and consequently no estimate of their annual worth can be given. There are no plans to change the existing arrangements for the occupation of residences.