HC Deb 22 July 1974 vol 877 cc384-5W
Mr. Michael Latham

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the value of internal design work, already carried out to working drawings stage, by staff architects of the Property Services Agency which has not been put out to tender in the first six months of this year, because of expenditure restrictions.

Mr. Freeson

The value of major new works at working drawings stage, where tenders were not invited during this period because of expenditure restrictions, was £51 million. In most cases tenders will be sought at some later date. Information is not readily available about the value of the internal design work involved.

Mr. Michael Latham

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the value of commissions placed with architects, including both staff architects and consultant firms, by the Property Services Agency in the first six months of 1974; and what was the equivalent figure for the first six months of 1973.

Mr. Freeson

The estimated value of the major new works schemes to be carried out in the United Kingdom which entered the design stage in the first six months of 1974 was approximately £180 million. It is estimated that the corresponding figure for 1973, at the same price level, was approximately £260 million. Figures for the value of the architects' work involved are not readily available.

Mr. Michael Latham

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the value of commissions previously placed with architects, both staff and private consultants, by the Property Services Agency which were cancelled in the first six months of this year.

Mr. Freeson

Major new works schemes to a value of £.19.6 million were cancelled in this period. Figures for the value of the architects' work involved are not readily available, but most of the schemes involved the use of staff or consultant architects. The cancellations were partly due to cuts in public expenditure and partly to changes in requirements.