§ Mr. Alexander Fletcherasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to rationalise Government office accommodation in Edinburgh by transferring Government Departments and agencies from residential properties to Old St. Andrews' House, where there is surplus accommodation, so that these former residential properties may be reconverted to provide housing accommodation in the city centre.
§ Mr. MarksAt present there is no surplus accommodation available in St. Andrew's House to receive significant numbers of staff from offices in former residential properties elsewhere in Edinburgh. The Property Services Agency continually seeks opportunities to reduce and rationalise its property holdings where the cost can be justified and can be contained within present expenditure limits.