asked the Minister of Works what has been the total cost of constructing and equipping Clive House; how far this has exceeded the original estimates; and whether the time taken to erect the building exceeded expectations.

Clive House is leased to my Department at an agreed rent and I cannot give its capital cost. The estimated capital cost of equipping the building as a passport office is £40,000, but the figures of actual cost are not yet available. The building took about six months longer than the original estimate owing partly to the decision to allocate it to the Passport Office who have special requirements.