HC Deb 14 June 1977 vol 933 cc114-6W
Mr. Cormack

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many new office buildings are scheduled to be commenced by the Property Service Agency during the next 12 months; and if he will list them, indicating their estimated cost and purpose and what they are replacing.

Mr. Marks,

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 20th May 1977; Vol. 932, c. 304], gave the following answer:

The information is as follows:

New Starts during next 12 months

will give brief details of each of the office buildings mentioned therein, indicating its function, method of construction, estimated completion date, what the building is replacing, and how many new personnel will be employed within it.

Mr. Marks,

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 20th May 1977; Vol.

Scheme Function Method of construction Completion date
1. To rehouse staff from buildings which are either overcrowded or unsuitable for other reasons:
Heaton Street, Gainsborough Local office for several departments C 1977
North Shields on Tyne Local office for Customs and Excise C 1977
Belle Vale, Liverpool Local office for several departments C 1978
Clarendon Street, Hyde Local office for several departments C 1978
Beaufort House, Harlow Local office for Inland Revenue C 1978
Watford Local office for Inland Revenue C 1977
Tiverton Local office for several departments C 1977
Newquay Local office for several departments C 1977
Princes Street, Swindon Local office for several departments C 1978
Shrewsbury Local office for DHSS C 1978
Church Hill Street, Smethwick Local office for DHSS C 1978
Kirkcaldy Local office for several departments C 1977
Bathgate Local office for DHSS C 1979
Stranraer Local office for DHSS C 1977
Wick Local office for several departments C 1977
Benton, Newcastle Part of Central Records Office for DHSS C 1978
2. To rehouse staff in one central building from a series of scattered regional or local offices:
Bootle Collection Accounts Centre for Inland Revenue. C 1979
Preston New Road, Blackpool Bonds and Stocks Office, Department of National Savings. C 1977
Durham House, Washington Child Benefit Office, DHSS C 1977
St. Dunstan's House, London Tribunal Courts for Lord Chancellor's Department. C 1979
Shipley Collection Accounts Centre for Inland Revenue. C 1977
Cathays Park, Cardiff* Offices for Welsh Office and ECGD C 1979
Llandrindod Wells Divisional office for MAFF C 1978
Fiveways House, Birmingham Regional Offices for DHSS and DOE C 1978
Cumbernauld Accounts computer centre for Inland Revenue. S 1978
3. New requirements or additional accommodation:
Titchfield Census Office, OPCS C 1978
Benhall, Cheltenham Laboratories and Offices for GCHQ C 1978
Crownhill, Plymouth Not yet known† S 1978
Norcross, Blackpool Dispersal from London S 1978
C=Conventional methods. S=Systems built.
* Provides Dispersal HQ for part of ECGD at present accommodated in London offices.
† Originally planned as a capital tax office.

Almost all buildings constructed for PSA are built by conventional techniques, as opposed to the system built method. But conventional techniques sometimes have to be adapted to meet specialised needs. System buildings are marked with an S in column 3.

All these buildings are primarily to rehouse existing staff, rather than new personnel, either because they have outgrown their existing accommodation or to enable them to reorganise. Several of the larger buildings—Bootle, Blackpool, Washington, Shipley, Cumbernauld, Southend—will house large computers and the associated clerical activities. Some additional staff will be housed at the new

932, c. 304], gave the following information:

Brief details are:

census office in Titchfield and the National Savings Office at Blackpool.