§ Mr. Kilfedderasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the total cost to date of the flats provided for Ministers and officials within the Stormont Estate, including the cost of adaptation, maintenance, improvement and furnishings, separately.
§ Mr. MasonStormont 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.
Ministers and their private secretaries are provided with separate bedrooms and shared sitting and dining rooms. One unit of self-contained accommodation is also available for senior officials.
The total cost of the adaptation of Stormont House was £238,000; this figure includes improvements. The cost of furnishings was £30,000. The annual maintenance costs for lighting, heating and repairs are about £10,000 for the residential and office accommodation provided at the house.