§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Prime Minister what was the cost in 1990–91, 1991–92 and 1992–93 of each of the official country residences owned by the Government broken down into(a) housekeeping, (b) catering/hospitality, (c) maintenance and (d) other costs; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 20 January 1993]: Chequers, Dorneywood and Chevening are not owned by the Government.
Chequers is administered as an independent trust, which receives an annual grant from public funds towards the maintenance of Chequers. In the three years concerned the grant has been:
£ 1990–91 238,000 1991–92 244,000 1992–93 260,000 The Government also contribute to the costs of household staff at Chequers, but this information is not separately identifiable.
The maintenance and staff expenses of Chevening house are met by the Chevening trust. The total cost to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for housekeeping, catering/hospitality and other costs in the three years concerned has been:
487W
£ 1990–91 4,374 1991–92 7,984 1992–93 9,451 In addition, other Government Departments use Chevening from time to time for meetings or seminars, for which they pay separately.
Dorneywood is administered by a trust fund. Its upkeep does not involve any cost to the Treasury.