§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) when he anticipates completion of the high-security entrance porch to his Department's Crown building at Cathays park, Cardiff;
(2) what is the estimated cost of the new high-security entrance porch to his Department's Crown building at Cathays park, Cardiff.
§ Mr. David HuntThe Cabinet Office has advised a number of Government Departments, including the Welsh Office, on the security necessary to protect Government employees and property. It was recommended that the new Cathays park building of the Welsh Office, which is occupied by 2,000 members of staff of the Welsh Office and the Export Credits Guarantee Department, should have installed an electronic access control system. The installation is underway and I am informed that the anticipated cost will be £594,000 plus VAT, which will be met by Property Holdings (DoE).
The hon. Member has suggested in public statements that this security expenditure is being made to protect Ministers from public demonstrations, but I am sure that he will be aware that Welsh Office Ministers are located in the old Cathays park building, not the new one. Normally, such demonstrations as there are take place outside the old building, to which none of this expenditure relates.
I am informed by Property Holdings (DoE) that the completion date of these security works will be July 1990.