§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of State what his estimate is of the(a) annual cost and (b) total value of the empty properties 940W owned by (i) his Department, (ii) his agencies and (iii) other public bodies for which he has responsibility in each of the last four years. [30078]
§ Mr. LeslieInformation requested, covering 1997–98 to 2000–01 (inclusive), is set out in the table.
£ Year Annual running costs As at 31 March Net book value 1997–98 484,000 1998 130,270 1998–99 562,000 1999 1,437,943 1999–2000 462,000 2000 173,875 2000–01 451,000 2001 139,400 Notes:
1. The above figures are for the 'Core' of the Department as none of its agencies nor non-departmental public bodies have owned any empty properties.
2. Figures are given on a net book value basis, as compiled for annual accounts purposes.
3. Excluded from the above figures is the project, commenced in 1998–99, to refurbish three vacant buildings. The first of those buildings (Admiralty Arch) was completed and occupied by staff in 2000–01. When the other two buildings (Kirkland House and the Ripley Building) are completed in 2002–03, they will form 22 Whitehall, one of the Department's major buildings.
With one exception, which is the subject of a forthcoming PFI, all buildings were surplus to the Department's requirements and were in the process of being disposed. This has now been completed.