To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission how much was spent in each of the last two years on the refurbishment of the Press restaurant. (190304)

The final cost to the House of the recently completed refurbishment of the Press Gallery was £8.2 million. This is higher than the figure of £7.7 million given on 16 October 2007, Official Report, column 947, because there were additional costs for removing asbestos and contractors final claims. As well as modern office accommodation, the improved facilities include a new kitchen and a multi-purpose restaurant and café/bar.

To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission, what the costs to the Commission were of the provision of facilities to the Parliamentary Press Gallery in each of the last five years. (190305)

The direct resource cost of the provision of facilities to the Parliamentary Press Gallery over the past four years—as long as records are retained—has been as follows: