§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage, pursuant to her answer of 17 January 1996,Official Report, column 731, if she will make a statement of the way in which the public funds 557W contribution to the costs of fire damage to Windsor castle was calculated; and what specific restoration costs will be met from the expected £10.8 million contribution from public funds. [19482]
§ Mr. Sproat[holding answer 8 March 1996]: Following the fire at Windsor castle, the royal household offered to fund 70 per cent. of the cost of the restoration by opening the state rooms at Buckingham palace to the public and introducing charges for entry to the precincts of Windsor castle. The balance of 30 per cent. was to be found from the existing level of funding provided by my Department for the general maintenance of the estate.
Total expenditure will be split on a 70 per cent. basis and no specific items will be allocated to either tranche.