asked Her Majesty's Government:

What progress has been made in repairs and renovation of the Ledra Palace Hotel, Cyprus, which accommodates British troops, in the past 12 months; when expenditure on it has been incurred; and whether the accommodation is now appropriate. [HL5548]

Renovation and repair of the Ledra Palace Hotel continues. Repairs to the east and west wing roofs are complete; loose masonry on the building exterior has been removed; ground floor public areas, kitchens and dining facilities have been refurbished; electrical rewiring has been completed and the main power supply replaced; and air conditioning has been installed throughout the ground floor. Ten accommodation rooms have also been refurbished with a further 10 nearing completion. Current plans estimate that renovation work will be complete by around the end of 2009, and will meet accommodation standards for members of the Armed Forces in the UK.

The work is being carried out by the Republic of Cyprus in an arrangement with the United Nations; we do not have visibility of the associated costs, but there is no direct cost to the UK for this work.