§ Mr. Michael McNair-Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the cost of managing the palaces occupied by Her Majesty the Queen and the royal family and the Tower of London, Hampton Court palace, those parts of Kensington palace open to the public and the banqueting house; whether any consideration has been given to having them valued for insurance; and if he will give an estimate of the likely cost of repairing the recent fire damage to Hampton Court.
§ Mr. TraceyThe cost of carrying out my right hon. Friend's responsibilities for maintaining and managing the royal palaces is expected to be £24.5 million in 1986–87, of which nearly half will be recouped in admission and sales receipts at those palaces which are open to the public. In view of the Government's policy of covering its own risks on the Government estate, there has been no need to consider valuation of the palaces for insurance. It is too early to give an estimate of the likely cost of repairing the recent fire damage to Hampton Court palace.