§ Mr. PollardTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the projected costs of reconstructing his Department's building in Whitehall; and if he will make a statement. [122310]
§ Dr. MoonieA contract to carry out the long overdue modernisation of the MOD's London headquarters was signed with Modus Services plc earlier this month. Main Building falls well short of modern standards. The redevelopment will result in the modern flexible working environment needed to provide effective direction and support to the armed forces. The costs to the Ministry of Defence will be some £55 million per annum at March 2000 prices over the 30 years of the Public Private Partnership contract. This encompasses the short-term decant arrangements as well as the long-term provision of 165W a wide variety of services to both the redeveloped Main Building and the Old War Office Building. These two buildings will then be the only buildings containing headquarters staff in the central London area, allowing five other buildings to be disposed of.