HC Deb 14 January 1988 vol 125 cc399-400W
Mrs. Beckett

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what expenditure was incurred on furniture and office equipment, including floor coverings, as a result of the move(a) of his private office and (b) of his Department to Richmond house from previous furnished accommodation at Alexander Fleming house.

Mr. Moore

Expenditure incurred to date on furniture and office equipment, including floor coverings, as a result of the move of DHSS staff over the Christmas recess from Alexander Fleming house to Richmond house was as follows:

  1. (a) Secretary of State and his private office—£17,000
  2. (b) The remaining staff (including five other Ministers and their private offices)—£450,000

The vast majority of staff were able to utilise their furniture and equipment from the previous accommodation. The costs at (b) include floor coverings for the whole of the Richmond house complex; provision of additional machines for facsimile and telex; together with equipment for audio conferences.