§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consideration has been given to protect Government buildings in London below London Underground level from damage caused by rising groundwater; and if he will make a statement. [15977]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordA study of groundwater levels around Whitehall from 1989 to 1995 was initiated by the Construction Industry Research and Information Association and taken over by Property Holdings. It concluded that water levels rose and fell with the seasons but did not indicate any long-term rise in groundwater levels.
Very few Government office buildings have basements extending down to the level of the London Underground bored tube railways.
259WBasements of all buildings are inspected regularly so that early sign of water penetration can be detected and dealt with. As far as we are aware, no building is currently in any imminent danger from rising groundwater.