§ Mr. Costainasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the estimated cost of the new magistrates' courts at Folkestone; what this figure represents on a metric square basis; and what proportion of the capital cost is being met from the rates.
§ Dr. SummerskillAlthough the final cost is not yet known, I am informed by the providing authority, Kent county council, that the latest estimate of the cost of building the new magistrates' courthouse at Folkestone is £898,000. This represents a cost of £326.54 per square metre gross floor area, but excludes the cost of site acquisition and professional fees estimated together to amount to £275,000. The total cost of £1,173,000 will be borne by the Kent county council by means of loans and the resulting loan charges will attract 80 per cent. Exchequer grant. The remaining 20 per cent. will be financed from the rates.