§ Mr. John Mooreasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when the decision was taken to develop the new Government Press Centre at Little St. James's Street, London, S.W.1; how many meetings per annum were anticipated being held there; where these meetings have been held before; what were the cost savings that persuaded the Government to take this decision; and what has happened to staff in other Government Departments made redundant by the Government's decision to centralise their Press conference facilities.
§ Mr. MarksThe centre including conference accommodation is available for use by all Government Departments, their agencies and quasi-Government bodies. Adequate specialised facilities were not previously available and it is not possible to say precisely the anticipated intensity of future use. In the pastad hoc arrangements were made within existing Government holdings and by hiring facilities in the private sector. These arrangements could not meet the increased and particular needs for this year, neither were they considered satisfactory in the longer term. No staff redundancies will arise.
§ Mr. John Mooreasked the Secretary of State for the Environment under what parliamentary Vote the running costs of the new Government Press Centre in Little St. James's Street, London, S.W.1, is carried; and what is the annual expected cost.
§ Mr. John Mooreasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when the decision was taken to develop the new Government Press Centre in Little St. James's Street, London, S.W.1.