§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total cost of purchase and building reconstruction of 35 Marsham Street, SW1 for International Military Services Ltd.; why the taps in the toilet facilities are gold plated; what is the cost of the plants and shrubs in the basement forecourt; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PattieIMS Ltd. has no connection with any property in Marsham Street; it is assumed that this question relates to office premises which the company leases in Great Smith Street. The specification for the reconstruction of these premises, including the toilet facilities and the basement/forecourt layout, was finalised, and most of the work undertaken, before IMS entered into negotiations for the lease.
IMS leased the premises to replace two other offices, on which the leases had expired, and has reduced its expenses by the resultant centralisation of staff. The Great Smith Street premises were selected, after an exhaustive 279W survey of alternative properties, as providing the most cost-effective solution to the company's accommodation requirements.