§ Mr. Sproatasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the cost of purchase of, or annual rent and rates for, the new building in Guild Street, Aberdeen for VAT officials; how many persons, including secretaries, will work there, full-time and part-time; what will be the total annual cost of their wages; how many telephones will be installed and at what cost; what will be the cost of all furniture, including carpets, curtains, and office equipment; what will be the cost of moving in; and what is his estimate for the total running costs for the first 12 months in full operation.
§ Mr. Ernest ArmstrongI have been asked to reply.
The new office building in Guild Steret has been leased by the Property Services Agency for occupation by several Government Departments in Aberdeen which have necesarily to be re-housed from their present accommodation. The total of 311 staff going into the building includes 84 Customs and Excise staff engaged on VAT work. For commercial reasons it is not the practice to disclose the rent of individual properties 1077W taken on lease. The amount payable by the Crown in respect of rates has not yet been assessed. The estimated cost of furnishing the whole building—including floor coverings and curtains—is £129,000, and of removal from the present accommodation £11,000.
The estimated total running costs for the first 12 months of occupation could be expected to be in the order of £25,000 to £30,000 at present day prices. The categories of staff employed, the annual cost of their wages, the number and cost of telephones provided, and the cost of office equipment are matters for the respective occupying Departments