HC Deb 21 March 2003 vol 401 c986W
Norman Baker

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how much public money has been spent each year since 1 May 1997 on(a) maintaining and (b) improving apartments occupied by the Lord Chancellor. [96416]

Ms Rosie Winterton

As part of a rolling programme of refurbishment throughout the Parliamentary Estate, the Lord Chancellor's State Rooms in the Palace of Westminster were refurbished in 1997–78 at a cost of £580,000. The scheme included the installation of automatic fire detection, fire compartmentation, electrical rewiring, asbestos removal and essential maintenance. The refurbishment was authorised by the House of Lords Administration and Works Sub-committee on 8 July 1997 and by its Finance and Staff Sub-committee on 16 July 1997. The House of Lords Offices Committee submitted a report to the full House which was agreed on 30 July 1997.

Since 1998, only minor routine maintenance has been carried out. The Palace of Westminster does not keep records in such a way that allows such minor expenditure to be quantified in relation to a particular area of the Palace.

At the conclusion of the refurbishment, the Lord Chancellor, for the first time, opened the residence to members of the public for tours and for charitable functions to be held. Tours of the residence and access for charitable functions are provided free of charge. To date, over £5.3 million has been raised for charitable causes.