§ Mr. Kilfedderasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total cost of the renovation and furnishing of the rooms provided for the Select Committees, giving figures separately for labour and materials.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergThe present estimated cost of converting existing accommodation into Committee Rooms on the Upper Committee Corridor as recommended by the Services Committee 59W is £475,000; comprising £286,000 for labour and £189,000 for materials. The increase since I replied to the right hon. Member for Manchester, Ardwick (Mr. Kaufman) on 14 January has been caused mainly by the need to redesign the ventilation and lighting systems to meet the detailed requirements of the Department's advisers on the architectural integrity of the Palace of Westminster and by structural difficulties which could not have been foreseen at the design stage. The need to complete the work to a time scale dictated by the House's requirements has also contributed to higher costs. The cost of furnishings was £84,000 excluding labour for which a separate figure cannot be provided. The five rooms were available as planned for use immediately after the Easter Recess and provide lighting, heating and air-conditioning to a standard that enables up to approximately 200 people to work in comfortable conditions throughout the year.