HC Deb 26 February 2004 vol 418 cc536-7W
Mr. Alan Duncan

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what arrangements have been made to find a suitable building for the proposed Supreme Court. [156330]

Mr. Leslie

An extensive property search was commissioned to identify suitable locations for the new Supreme Court in central London. Following that, a number of options are being considered, both commercial sites and those already on the Government estate. An evaluation of those sites is currently being conducted to identify the preferred building solution.

Mr. Alan Duncan

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs whether it is the Government's policy to construct a new building for the proposed Supreme Court. [156331]

Mr. Leslie

A number of options are being considered. whatever solution is ultimately chosen, the new building for the Supreme Court will need to provide a secure working environment for judiciary and staff and contain appropriate hearing rooms and ancillary accommodation and facilities. It will also have to provide value for money.

Mr. Alan Duncan

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs who has been engaged by the Government to find a suitable location for the proposed Supreme Court. [156332]

Mr. Leslie

My Department has reviewed its own estate and consulted the Office of Government Commerce about availability on the London Civil Estate. Additionally, we have approached all Government Departments direct. In order to establish availability in the commercial market, we have engaged the services of property agents Knight Frank to carry out a thorough search of central London locations suitable for the new UK Supreme Court.

Mr. Alan Duncan

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how much has been spent so far on outside consultants charged with the task of finding a suitable location for the proposed Supreme Court. [156333]

Mr. Leslie

My Department has committed fees of approximately £19,000 on the search for potential sites for the new Supreme Court. A further £83,000 has been committed on the analysis and evaluation of the options and completion of the necessary Treasury 'Green Book' style economic appraisals.

As a result of commercial negotiations, this is slightly lower than the figure given by my right hon. and noble Friend, Lord Falconer, in the other place on the 29 January.

Mr. Alan Duncan

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs if he will publish the specifications set by the Government for a suitable building for the proposed Supreme Court. [156334]

Mr. Leslie

The property search is being undertaken on the basis of a requirement for a new or existing building in central London. The space requirement was calculated on the basis of providing at least three hearing rooms requiring 500 m2, 14 judicial chambers and ancillary accommodation totalling 1300 m2, staff accommodation and facilities totalling 800 m2, 400 m2 of public area and facilities and 550 m2 for library and records storage.