§ Dr. CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment on what basis(a) Ministers of the Crown and (b) other hon. Members are charged for connections into the Palace of Westminster aerial system.
§ Mr. Chris PattenMinisters are provided with televisions in their offices at the House when required by their official duties.
Other right hon. and hon. Members are charged the actual cost of connecting their private television sets to the aerial system.
§ Dr. CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what electrical, mechanical and technical works would be required in order to replace the existing annunciators with live television feed of proceedings in the Chamber or Committees; and if he will give an estimated financial breakdown of the costs of such works.
§ Mr. Chris PattenTo provide a live television feed would require the provision of a cable network and television sets. The installation of a cable network would be a complex task and I regret that without a full study, it is not possible to estimate the cost.
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§ Dr. CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average cost of providing a connection into the Palace of Westminster aerial system.
§ Mr. Chris PattenThe cost of providing a connection to the Palace of Westminster aerial system is dependent on the distance from the main trunk runs and on whether sound amplification is needed. The average cost of connections up till now is about £60.
§ Mr. RostTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total energy bill at the Palace of Westminster for each of the past five years.
§ Mr. ChopeExpenditure on energy for the parliamentary estate, including the House of Lords, over the last five years has been as follows:
£ 1984–85 821,951 1985–86 909,957 1986–87 901,051 1987–88 850,655 1988–89 849,569 The figures are at cash prices.