§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Lord President of the Council what was the daily, weekly or monthly cost of security measures at the Palace of Westminster on 29th July 1977 and 4th November 1977, respectively; and how this increase falls within the Government's policy of cutting public expenditure.
§ Mr. FootThe estimated staff costs of police officers and custodians employed at the Palace of Westminster for July 1977 was £84,469. For October 1977 these costs were estimated at £105,911. These two estimates are not, however, directly comparable because of changes arising from the decisions, announced by Mr. Speaker on 27th July and effective from 1st October, to establish a combined security force for the Palace of Westminster, and for expenditure on security within the precincts to be borne in future wholly on the Votes of the two Houses.