§ Mr. WatersonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost of maintaining the former Department of the Environment buildings at Marsham street has been in each year since 1997; and what the anticipated cost is in the forthcoming year. [1287]
§ Mr. BlunkettThe management and maintenance of the former Department of the Environment buildings at 2 Marsham street became the responsibility of the Secretary of State for the Home Department on 1 April 1999. The intention is to provide new accommodation on this site as part of the Home Office central London208W accommodation strategy. Since 1 April 1999, the cost of maintenance for each year excluding value added tax has been:
£479,000 for 1999–2000£388,000 for 2000–01 and the provisional budget for part 2001–02 is £290,000.The existing buildings at 2 Marsham street are not empty, as there is a permanent team on site carrying out minimum health and safety maintenance. The Home Office has allowed a number of fee-paying temporary uses of these buildings and car park areas. One such use has been a temporary winter shelter under the rough sleepers initiative.