§ Mr. AllenTo ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, representing the House of Commons Commission, what is his latest estimate of the costs of keeping the House open for sittings beyond 10 pm.
§ Mr. BeithAdditional costs are incurred when the House sits after 10.30 pm, but vary according to when the House rises. The House sat after 10.30 pm on some 37 occasions in May, June and July of this year, and the additional costs incurred in respect of House staff for this period are estimated to be £319,464.