§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what have been the running costs of No. 1 Carlton gardens for each of the last five years; what accommodation is available on those premises; and if he will make a statement. [13619]
426W
§ Mr. RifkindNo. 1 Carlton gardens, a grade 1 listed building, has been the official London residence of successive Foreign Secretaries since 1945 when it was acquired on lease from the Crown Estates for Mr. Ernest Bevin.
The accommodation comprises state rooms, used solely for official functions, on the ground and first floors and an apartment for the Foreign Secretary on the second and third floors.
Information on maintenance expenditure for 1991–92 and 1992–93 is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
£ 1991–92 1 136,077 1992–93 1, 2 137,150 1993–94 2 136,729 1994–95 283,635 1995–96 342,741 Expenditure is given in cash terms. 1 Rent and utilities only. 2 In addition, about £3.5 million was spent on the total refurbishment of the slate rooms and major supporting services. This was the first major refurbishment since the house suffered bomb damage in the second world war.