§ Mr. Kilfedderasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what is the additional accommodation at Stormont House to be used for; why it was necessary to renovate further the existing house; and why the existing accommodation is not sufficient;
(2) if he will publish details of the work which is being carried out at Stormont House;
(3) whether a special type of glass is to be installed at Stormont House; where the glass is manufactured; and what is the estimated cost of the glass and the training of men to fit it;
(4) whether the work at Stormont House is being carried out to normal Civil Service standards or whether any special features have been included; and, if so, for what purpose;
(5) what is the name of the main and sub-contractors who are carrying out the work at Stormont House and Annex; what is the sum in which the contract is let; and what is the expected date of completion.
§ Mr. DunnStormont House was adapted and renovated in 1974 to provide more suitable, more secure and cheaper residential accommodation than hotels for the Secretary of State, his ministerial colleagues and staff who travel between London and Belfast. It also provides office accommodation which, with the Annexe, when completed later in the year, will relieve gross over-crowding on the Stormont Estate and provide better working conditions, designed to normal Civil Service standards.
For security reasons laminated glass manufactured in Leeds is being fitted in the Annexe at a cost of £7,600. There has been no expenditure on training men to fit it.
The main contractor for Stormont House was H. and J. Martin Ltd and nominated sub-contractors were (mechanical) R. Finlay Ltd and (electrical) Weir and McQuiston Ltd. The main contractor for the Annexe is D. R. Martin and Sons Ltd and nominated sub-contractors are (mechanical) Wm. Coates and Son 204W Ltd. (electrical) Crown House Engineering Ltd. An advance contract for the Annexe sub-structure was let to H. and J. Martin Ltd.
The sum in which contracts have been let since 1974 for work at Stormont House and for construction of the Annexe amounts to £828,000.