§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the total cost of modifications and decoration in the British embassy in Moscow during 1994–95; what was the figure for the previous financial year; and what was the total cost in respect of manpower and materials associated with the proposed additions to the banqueting hall in 1994. [8908]
§ Mr. HanleyThe total cost of modifications and decoration at the British embassy in Moscow in 1994–95 was £431,000, including £377,000 on re-organisation of the visa section. In 1993–94, the cost of modifications and decoration totalled £760,000. This included £540,000 for a complete refurbishment of the run-down—outhoused—commercial office and £215,000 for the installation of new security gates at all embassy entrances.
There is no banqueting hall as such. Formal dinners are held in the dining room of the ambassador's house and official functions in the reception room there. No 590W additions to either room were proposed or carried out in 1994. The reception room was redecorated in 1994 at a total cost, including manpower and materials, of £28,000.