§ Mr. Carsonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) when the Northern Ireland Office 'B' or Laneside premises were purchased and for what amount; and what has been spent since then in alteration and maintenance;
793W(2) for what purposes the Government maintain the Northern Ireland Office 'B' or Laneside.
§ Mr. MasonThe Questions appear to be based on a misapprehension. The designation Northern Ireland Office (B) merely distinguishes that part of my Department which is located in Belfast and not in London. Laneside is the name of a house bought by the Department of the Environment for £25,000 in 1971 as a combined house and office and which has been used by my Department since its inception to provide additional space. It would involve disproportionate effort and expense to provide precise details, but inclusive of alterations, utilities and maintenance, the costs have been about £5,000 a year.