§ Dr. Cable:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much has been spent by his Department on asbestos surveys since 1 January 2001; how much has been spent on the management and removal of asbestos for each building in which asbestos has been identified; and what budget is available for the Department and its agencies to (a)commission asbestos surveys and (b)manage and remove asbestos from buildings in (i) 2003 and (ii) 2004. [130911]
§ Ruth Kelly:Detailed costings have not been undertaken in the case of all the Chancellor's Departments, and where this is the case, the data requested can be obtained only at a disproportionate cost. Available data are as follows:
Customs and Excise and the Valuation Office Agency both recorded nil expenditure for asbestos surveys or the removal of asbestos between 1 January 2001 and 1 April 2001. Further information in both cases could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.
The Government Actuary's Department and the Debt Management Office both recorded nil expenditure for asbestos surveys and removal of asbestos since 1 January 2001.
Work is currently under way on the National Savings and Investments' Glasgow site. Estimated cost of the remedial work to date is £500,000, and estimated costs to the end of the financial year are £750,000 (excluding VAT).
Since 1 January 2001, the Royal Mint has spent £6,802 on asbestos surveys. Expenditure incurred in removing asbestos was £1,380 in 2001; £20,120 in 2002; and £2,980 in 2003.
The Office of National Statistics is currently in the process of conducting a new asbestos survey at a cost of £78,000. Expenditure on remedial work since 1 January 2001 is £154,000.
Expenditure by the Office of Government Commerce on asbestos surveys since January 2001 is approximately £27,000. The cost of remedial work since January 2001 is £279,000.