§ Mr. Stonehouseasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total space in square feet occupied by Government Departments and the total annual cost; what were the totals in 1964; and what are the percentage increases between the two dates.
§ Mr. ArmstrongIn 1964 Government Departments occupied 39.3 million sq. ft. of net office space. The annual rent bill was £12¾ million. The corresponding figures for 1975 are 60.5 million sq. ft. and £80 million, representing increases of 54 per cent. and 527 per cent. The figures are not strictly comparable because of changes in the proportions of leased and Crown accommodation and the composition of the Civil Service.
§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total floor area of offices occupied by the Civil Service in Greater London, the total rates paid on all such offices, the proportion rented, and the annual cost of such rents.
§ Mr. ArmstrongThe total floor area of office accommodation occupied by the Civil Service in Greater London is approximately 18,891,000 sq. ft., of which 68 per cent. is rented at a cost of £42.7 million in the current year. The total sum payable as a contribution in lieu of 171W rates for all Government occupied property in Greater London is £48 million. It is not possible to give rates for office accommodation only without disproportionate effort.