§ Mr. FisherTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what is the current annual cost of lighting the exterior of(a) Buckingham palace, (b) St James's palace, (c) Clarence house and (d) other Government buildings in Whithall and Parliament square.
§ Mr. KeyThe royal palaces and residences referred to are not floodlit. The lighting of the exterior of Government buildings in Whitehall and Parliament street is the responsibility of the individual Departments, but I understand that the cost is currently around £40,000 per year. The House authorities are responsible for the floodlighting of the Palace of Westminster and I understand that the cost is around £7,000 per year.