HC Deb 27 November 1967 vol 755 cc11-3
13. Mr. Roebuck

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works for how long it has been the policy of his Department not to publish details of rents paid for Government accommodation.

14. Mr. Bob Brown

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works how much is being paid in rental per square foot for Government office space in Millbank Tower, Ebury Bridge, Early Bird House, Tolworth Tower, Kingsgate House and Riverwalk House.

Mr. Mellish

For as long as can be traced, it has been the policy of my Department not to publish details of rents paid for particular buildings.

Mr. Roebuck

Would my hon. Friend agree that there are circumstances in which it is appropriate that the House should have this information? As the House knows how much it costs to build an embassy, for instance, should not my hon. Friend tell the House how much it is costing in rent for a residence for the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in Brussels? Why will he not tell the House that?

Mr. Mellish

The policy of my Department at the moment is similar to that which has been followed in the past. We are in business trying to get property for Government purposes at the cheapest possible rent. If we disclose what we are paying and where for individual properties, there is not much point in trying to be commercial.

Mr. Brown

Is my hon. Friend aware of the critical article in the Daily Mail of 25th September which suggests that the rent of these properties would be in the region of £3 per square foot? Whilst I am not interested in what the Daily Mail thinks about this subject, is my hon. Friend further aware that the Director of the North-East Development Council has suggested that the realistic rent of these properties would be more in the region of £5 per square foot? Is he further aware that in Newcastle-upon-Tyne new office blocks are bringing 17s. 6d. per square foot?

Mr. Mellish

My hon. Friend has a Question down to me later concerning Newcastle-on-Tyne and I shall be glad to answer that. My Ministry is prepared to give information about rent for groups of property which does not involve revealing the rent for a particular building. It is a matter of commercial practice.

Mr. Emery

Would the hon. Gentleman not agree that if he published these specific figures it would show that the Government are paying rents which are bringing up to a much higher level the general price paid for office accommodation in the centre of London?

Mr. Mellish

What I was trying to say was that the object of my Ministry is to get accommodation as cheaply as possible. I do not see how that can achieve that if it discloses everything that is being paid. I would also tell the hon. Gentleman that often the terms are a private matter between the contracting parties.

15. Mr. Bob Brown

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what proposals he has for acquisition or rental of modern office blocks in the Newcastle-upon-Tyne area for departmental uses.

Mr. Mellish

I am considering hiring office space in three buildings to release two buildings for local authority redevelopment, and to replace other accommodation where our lease is expiring. Other office space is needed to house staff engaged on work being transferred from London.

Mr. Brown

I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply, but does not he agree that there is a much greater need for diversification of workers in Government offices and that the figures that I have quoted should give him food for thought?

Mr. Mellish

I do not deny that there is a strong case for diverting as many people from London as possible. This is the policy that my Department, in conjunction with other Ministries, will follow.