§ Mr. Steenasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is the estimated date of the completion of St. John's House, Bootle; what was the estimated cost on the date when the building was first started; and what is the estimated cost today;
(2) if he will make a statement on the results of the review mentioned in a written answer of 24 November 1977 about St. John's House, Bootle; what is the remainder of the building being used for; and what new jobs have been brought into the area as a result.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergI invited tenders in December for the occupational services work necessary for the building to be completed on a phased basis from February 1981. In respect of the occupation of the building I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Civil Service Department on 20 December in the context of the Government's plans for the dispersal of jobs to Bootle. When the first contract for the construction of this building was let in 1969 it was for a sum of £4.9 million. I presently estimate that construction—excluding work in the occupational services contract—will have cost £23.7 million.—[Vol. 976, c. 306.]