§ 64. Mrs. Lena Jegerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the amount of unoccupied office space in London to the latest convenient date; what is the area at present under construction; and for what area planning permission has been given but building not started.
§ Mr. PeytonThe latest estimate of unoccupied office space was that of a maximum of 9 million sq. ft. made by the GLC in February, 1972. At 31st March, 1972, an area of 11.1 million sq. ft. was under construction. Planning permission had been given but construction not yet started for 8.6 million sq. ft.
§ Mrs. Lena Jegerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action is being taken to carry out the promise of his predecessor on 26th June, 1972, that legislation would be introduced to guarantee that new office building which remains empty for a long time would be suitably occupied.
§ Mr. RipponI am keeping the situation under review.