§ 3.10 p.m.
§ The Earl of KinnoullMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.
The Question was as follows:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what structural repair costs have been incurred on the New Scotland Yard headquarters building in Victoria Street over the last two years, and what disruption has been caused to those working in the building.
The Minister of State, Home Office (The Earl of Caithness)My Lords, the repair work which has been in progress since 1985 is to replace the original granite facings on the building with stainless steel. Payments to the contractors so far have amounted to £2,156,000. I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that there has been no serious disruption to those working in the building.
§ The Earl of KinnoullMy Lords, I thank my noble friend for that helpful and informative reply; but is he aware that, whereas 20 years ago a speculative, cheap office building in a central shopping street close to the Houses of Parliament may perhaps have been suitable for the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police, today that building, with its long history of bits and pieces falling off, its leaking roof, its wholly inadequate car parking facilities for police vehicles and a major problem of security because of its long street frontage, is not adequate at all? Will the Government consider whether the GLC building could provide a home for the new facilities of the police headquarters?
The Earl of CaithnessMy Lords, there are no plans to move New Scotland Yard from the present building, in which a large investment has been made to render it suitable for police use. As for the future of the GLC building, that is now in the hands of the London Residuary Body and it is up to that body to consider any offers.
§ Lord MellishMy Lords, is the Minister aware that, if News International and all those involved in that dispute were to pay the police costs of £4½ million, that would more than pay for the work being done at New Scotland Yard?
§ The Earl of KinnoullMy Lords, can my noble friend say whether the present headquarters is in time likely to be outgrown so far as concerns the number of staff required there and that therefore a move may be necessary anyway?
The Earl of CaithnessMy Lords, as I said, at the moment no plans are in preparation for a move and indeed the commissioner's present policy on devolution of work should help to reduce some of the pressures on the staff of the headquarters building.