§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission what is the cost of the policing of the Palace of Westminster; and what is the cost of the non-police security guards employed in the Palace.
§ Mr. BeithBased on the latest available figures, the House of Commons' share of the annual cost (excluding VAT) of policing the parliamentary precincts (the Palace of Westminster and the parliamentary outbuildings) is estimated at £8 million, of which approximately £4.3 million is the cost of civilian staff including security officers, firemen and administrative staff.