HC Deb 06 November 2003 vol 412 c725W
Mr. Flight

To ask the Prime Minister how much was spent on(a) maintenance, (b) renovation, (c) council tax and (d) running costs of residential properties used by the Prime Minister and officials in each year since 1997. [134696]

The Prime Minister

For running costs and the cost of maintenance, renovation and council tax of residential properties in Downing street, I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave to the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) on 22 July 2002,Official Report, column 804W, and on 28 February 2002, Official Report, columns 1443-44W.

Expenditure on routine maintenance work to the flat above No. 11 Downing street for 2001–02 was £32,949.

Final figures for 2002–03 are not yet available.

For Chequers, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for north Devon (Mr. Harvey) on 13 February 2003, Official Report, column 952W.

The annual grant for maintenance and to cover civilian staff employed at Chequers for 2002–03 was £499,817.

The Chequers Trust is responsible for paying the council tax on all Chequers estate property.