§ Sir John Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the annual cost to public funds of erecting and lowering flagstaffs in Parliament square 557W and elsewhere in the metropolis for state visits, anniversaries and other celebrations; and if he will make a statement about the tendering for this work.
§ Mr. ChopeThe annual cost varies according to the number of state visits and other events. The cost for 1986–87 is expected to be £90,000. In 1985–86 it was approximately £150,000.
The work is carried out by contractors appointed for three years on the basis of competitive tendering.