§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's asking price for the official service residence Boi de Mai; what was the original purchase price; in what year the property was purchased by his Department; and what was the total amount spent by his Department on improvements to the residence. [21964]
§ Mr. SoamesBoi de Mai was purchased in November 1992 and furnished for £2.4 million. The price of the house was £1.9 million. The economic recession in western Europe has affected the Belgian residential housing market. As a consequence, our agents advise an unfurnished asking price of £1.565 million. These prices are calculated at the Government accounting exchange rate prevailing at the time. A total of £683,000 was spent on improvements and maintenance to the property. This figure includes an initial refurbishment and "get you in" package of some £235,000—including the installation and subsequent repairs of a security system. Some £150,000 was also spent on other furnishings which will be removed.