§ 40. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister of Public Building and Works to what extent since 1964 the Government's policy on Ministerial office accommodation in the Central London area has been carried out; and whether he will give as much detailed information as is readily available, for each year since 1964, of the amount of space held by his Department and the costs in rates or rents in each instance.
§ Mr. John SilkinIt is Government policy to concentrate as near to the centre as possible, and as far as practicable in 269W Crown buildings, those Government staff who need to be in Central London. The aim is to disperse other staff as circumstances allow. Since 1963 some 15,000 Government jobs have been moved away from London, and there are plans to transfer a further 19,000 in the next few years. I will circulate the office space and cost figures requested by my hon. Friend in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
Following is the information:
OFFICE ACCOMMODATION IN CENTRAL LONDON Crown Offices Leased Offices Year Ending 30th September Net Area million square feet Notional Rent per annum £'000 Net Area million square feet Rent per annum £'000 1965 3,108 2,855 6,312 5,798 1966 3,593 3,667 8,644 8,833 1967 3,712 4,439 8,758 10,466 1968 3,878 4,751 9,282 11,373 1969 3,886 5,424 9,426 13,154 Figures for rates payments for office accommodation are not available.
In 1966 the Ministry's statistical returns for Central London were extended to cover a slightly larger area.