HC Deb 27 June 1979 vol 969 cc239-40W
Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give a detailed breakdown of the £16,245 incurred in refurbishing accommodation for the Secretary of State for Trade.

Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg

The expenditure was a consequence of the amalgamation of the former Department of Prices and Consumer Protection with the Department of Trade, which reduced the total number of Ministers from six to five, all of whom are accommodated in one building. As a result the Ministerial facilities in Mill bank Tower have been returned to normal use. Two additional ministerial offices were required in 1–19 Victoria Street. The costs were:

Repartitioning, rewiring etc. £12,500
Carpets and curtains £3,545

The total is £16,045, not £16,245, as stated in my answer of 20 June.

Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will state in detail the breakdown of the £1,939 to be incurred in refurbishing his own ministerial accommodation.

Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg

The expenditure amounted to £1,739 and not £1,939 as stated in my answer of 20 June, and related to a new door and routine maintenance on change of occupancy—£400—and furnishings, including reconditioning of existing stock—£1,299.

Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the detailed breakdown of the £2,685 to be spent on the official accommodation of the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg

The expenditure consists of repair, replacement and cleaning of domestic items which would normally take place on a change of occupancy. The costs comprise carpeting, £224; furniture, £210; linen and curtains, £751. Repairs to plaster and consequent redecoration cost £1,500.

Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will provide details of the £1,730 to be spent on the refurbishing of the Prime Minister's official accommodation.

Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg

The expenditure on the Prime Minister's official accommodation consisted of the repair, replacement and cleaning of domestic items which would normally take place on a change of occupancy.