§ Mrs. Jegerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his present estimate of unlet office space in central London; how much is in course of building; for what floor area planning permission has been granted but building not started; and what housing loss is involved in these schemes.
§ Mr. Guy BarnettI regret that this information is not available from Government records. According to estimates made by the Greater London Council at 31st December 1976 there was more than 16 million sq. ft. of empty office space in central London and almost 20.5 million sq. ft. of unbuilt office space for which planning permission had been granted up to 31st December 1975; of the latter figure some 9'5 million represents additional office space and the remainder related to proposals for the demolition or refurbishment of existing offices, thus involving no housing loss.
No figure for any loss of residential accommodation involved on the 9.5 million sq. ft. of additional office space is available. Some office projects, however, such as the scheme at Cambridge 517W Circus in my hon. Friend's constituency, result in a housing gain.
§ Mrs. Jegerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is satisfied that all vacant office buildings are making a proper contribution to local rates; and on what grounds payment is being excused.
§ Mr. Guy BarnettUnder rating legislation local authorities have a considerable range of discretion about the levying of the empty property rate and surcharge and they also have the power to remit or reduce this rate or surcharge in cases of hardship. It is for them to satisfy themselves that the empty property rate and surcharge make a proper contribution to local rates in the light of local circumstances.