To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the cost to the public purse was of the principal staircase connecting the ground floor and the restaurant at his Department's offices at Sanctuary Buildings, Great Smith street. (302667)

The costs incurred for the staircase to link the ground floor and lower ground floor, where the Department's meeting rooms, library, restaurant and drop-in work facilities are situated, was £191,917. The work increased the usable floor area of the lower ground floor by 13 per cent.