HC Deb 30 July 1997 vol 299 cc295-8W
Mr. Godman

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many persons are(a) permanently employed and (b) employed on a seasonal and a temporary basis at Holyroodhouse palace; what is (i) the annual wages bill, (ii) the range of salaries and (iii) the average salary; and if he will make a statement. [9148]

Mr. Chisholm

[holding answer 23 July 1997]: There are 22 permanent staff employed by the royal household and funded by Historic Scotland at the palace of Holyroodhouse and six paid for out of the Queen's Civil List.

For these staff:

  1. (i) the total wages bill (including national insurance and pension costs) for the year 1996–97 was £513,130;
  2. (ii) the current range of full-time salaries—excluding national insurance and pension costs—is £8,624 to £33,686;
  3. (iii) the current average full-time salary—excluding national insurance and pension costs—is £13,009.

In addition, Royal Collection Enterprises Ltd.—a trading subsidiary of the Royal Collection Trust—employs 13 permanent staff in connection with the opening of the palace to the public and up to 13 temporary posts are created during the busy summer months.

Historic Scotland employ a number of industrial staff who work on various properties in the Edinburgh area, including the palace of Holyroodhouse. Approximate assessments of the costs associated with their palace duties show that:

  1. (i) the relevant proportion of the total wages bill—including national insurance and pension costs—for the year 1996–97 was £333,643;
  2. (ii) the current range of full-time salaries—excluding national insurance and pension costs—is: £8,500 to £16,182;
  3. (iii) the current average full-time salary—excluding national insurance and pension costs—is £11,075.

Mr. Godman

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on how many days in each of the past 10 years there have been persons in residence in Holyroodhouse palace; if he will say who was resident; and if he will make a statement. [9150]

Mr. Chisholm

[holding answer 23 July 1997]: The palace of Holyroodhouse has been occupied by members of the royal family and by the Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland for the following number of days in each year since 1988:

Year Number of days occupied
1988 38
1989 28
1990 28
1991 28
1992 23
1993 32
1994 28
1995 29
1996 26
1997 134
1 Includes visits by members of the royal family planned for the remainder of 1997. In addition, staff of the royal household have been in residence from time to time in connection with their duties.

Mr. Godman

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the annual cost of the maintenance at Holyroodhouse palace in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [9149]

Mr. Chisholm

[holding answer 23 July 1997]: The subject of the question relates to operational matters undertaken by Historic Scotland. I have asked the chief executive, Mr. Graeme Munro, to arrange for a reply to be sent.

Letter from Graeme Munro to Mr. Norman Godman, dated 30 July 1997: In the absence of Graeme Munro, Historic Scotland's Chief Executive, on annual leave I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about the maintenance costs of the Palace of Holyroodhouse. The Secretary of State funds the cost of maintaining the fixed fabric of Holyroodhouse (as distinct from furniture, tapestries, paintings, etc.), together with security costs, the costs of utilities such as electricity, gas and telephones, and limited capital purchases such as equipment and office furniture. The Royal Household funds the costs of administering the Palace for Royal use, and the Royal Collection Trust undertakes the arrangements for public visiting. The annual costs falling to the Secretary of State under these headings since 1990–91 are as follows:

Programme expenditure Historic Scotland employee costs Total £
1990–91 860,833 288,636 1,149,469
1991–92 723,000 334,346 1,057,346
1992–93 696,600 338,530 1,035,130
1993–94 693,215 337,852 1,031,067
1994–95 897,700 345,124 1,242,824
1995–96 805,400 273,909 1,079,309
1996–97 743,700 288,126 1,031,826
1997–98 (estimate) 734,700 275,673 1,010,373

These figures include all Historic Scotland's expenditure directly related to the Palace apart from central professional and administration costs.The provision of figures for the years preceding 1990–91 (prior to the formation of the Agency), or the separation of maintenance from other costs such as security and utility charges, could not be undertaken without disproportionate effort and cost.I hope that this information is helpful.
Mr. Godman

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on how many occasions Holyroodhouse palace has been the setting for public events in each of the past 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [9151]

Mr. Chisholm

[holding answer 23 July 1997]: Each year, approximately 14,000 people are invited to some 20 functions given at the palace by the Queen and by the Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland on Her Majesty's behalf, including garden parties, dinners, receptions and investitures. The place is also used on occasions by other members of the royal family. In addition, the palace was used in December 1992 for the meeting of the European Council under the UK's presidency; in 1994 for a sate visit by the King of Norway; and during the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Edinburgh during October 1997, the Queen will receive Heads of State and other representatives of Commonwealth countries at the palace and will give a dinner and reception for those attending the conference.

Mr. Godman

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many tourists have visited Hollyroodhouse palace in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [9164]

Mr. Chisholm

[holding answer 23 July 1997]: The numbr of visitors to the palace of Holyroodhouse in each of the last 10 years was as follows:

Year ended 31 March Number of visitors
1988 316,593
1989 321,629
1990 297,730
1991 314,694
1992 278,346
1993 276,866
1994 299,722
1995 253,714
1996 260,294
1997 283,877

The palace was open on most days of each year, apart from during the visits of HM the Queen and the Lord High Commissioner and a few days of preparation before and after their visits.