HC Deb 06 November 1973 vol 863 cc124-5W
Mr. Scott-Hopkins

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what financial assistance is being given to the International Cocoa Organisation to enable it to establish its headquarters in London.

Mr. Godber

As the House was informed in June, Her Majesty's Government invited the International Cocoa Council to establish its headquarters in London. Moreover we offered to assist it financially to do so. The council accepted our invitation and since August, when the International Cocoa Organisation moved to London, it has been provided with rent-free temporary office accommodation. We are currently engaged in negotiations to acquire the lease of premises at 22 Berners Street. Upon assignment of this lease to my Department it is my intention to sub-lease the three upper floors of the building to the International Cocoa Organisation for which it will pay the current fixed rent until it is reviewed in 1977.

The total cost of the temporary accommodation and the acquisition of the lease together with the associated legal expenses and the cost of altering the premises will be of the order of £150,000. My Department will be presenting a Supplementary Estimate in due course to cover this expenditure. Pending the approval of the estimate any expenditure will be met out of the Contingencies Fund.

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