HC Deb 25 October 1989 vol 158 cc459-60W
Mr. Fisher

To ask the Prime Minister if she will make a statement on the renovations and redecorations to the Prime Minister's personal apartment at Downing street; whether a designer or architect has been appointed; and what will be the overall cost of the work.

The Prime Minister

[holding answer 23 October]: Apart from fitting cupboards, there has been no fundamental work on refurbishment or modernisation of the personal apartment at Downing street. Any redecoration or modernisation work has been undertaken by the Property Services Agency.

Mr. Fisher

To ask the Prime Minister whether Her Majesty's Government have invited designers or architects to submit plans for the erection of gates at the Whitehall entrance to Downing street.

The Prime Minister

[holding answer 23 October]: There has been a barrier at the Whitehall entrance to Downing street since 1973 and the present gates and railings were installed in 1982. It is intended to replace these with new gates and railings.

Plans for new demountable railings and gates have been prepared by the Property Services Agency in consultation with English Heritage and the Royal Fine Arts Commission. These have been agreed by Westminster city council.

Member. The following figures relate to the applications for legal aid in the magistrates' courts in the Bradford police force area:

Mr. Fisher

To ask the Prime Minister whether Her Majesty's Government have prepared a budget for the erection of gates at the Whitehall entrance to Downing street.

The Prime Minister

[holding answer 23 October]: All expenditure relating to Downing street is budgeted.

Mr. Fisher

To ask the Prime Minister whether it is Her Majesty's Government's intention to erect gates at the Whitehall entrance to Downing street.

The Prime Minister

[holding answer 23 October]: There has been a barrier at the Whitehall entrance to Downing street since 1973 and the present gates and railings were installed in 1982. It is intended to replace these with new gates and railings.

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