Houses of Parliament (Costs)

HC Deb 23 July 1985 vol 83 c443W

Mr. Peter Bruinvels

asked the Lord Privy Seal if, pursuant to his statement of 12 July, Official Report, column 1451, he can now give more precise figures for the cost of running Parliament between 1981–82 and 1984–85 and the rate of rise in the retail price index during the same period.

Mr. Biffen

The total identified costs for the Houses of Parliament, rose from £56.2 million in 1981–82 to £77.5 million in 1984–85. This represents a rise of 38 per cent. Between 1981–82 and 1984–85 the retail price index rose by 17.7 per cent.