HC Deb 30 March 1983 vol 40 cc142-3W
Mr. Pavitt

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the division of financial responsibility for the repairs for New Scotland Yard between himself and the landlord, Land Securities plc;

(2) when the scaffolding was first installed on the pavements outside New Scotland Yard; and when the repairers anticipate demolishing it;

(3) if he will publish in the Official Report the estimate received for the removal of unsafe cladding of granite panels in New Scotland Yard and the estimate for replacing the panels with stainless steel; if this work is included in the 1982–83 expenditure allocation, and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Mayhew

The question of responsibility for remedying various defects which have become apparent in the external cladding of New Scotland Yard is currently the subject of civil proceedings initiated by the receiver for the Metropolitan police district against various parties, not including the landlord—Land Securities plc.

The scaffolding outside New Scotland Yard was first erected in March 1981, and will be removed when the remedial work is completed. The commencement of this work is, however, dependent upon the consent of the landlord which has not been given and which is the subject of separate legal proceedings brought by the receiver.

Provision for starting the remedial work was included in the annual estimates of the Metropolitan police for 1982–83, but has not been spent because the landlord has not consented to the work. The necessary estimate provision has accordingly been deferred to subsequent years. The remedial work will be put out to competitive tender when it becomes possible to proceed with it, and no estimate of the eventual cost can be given at this stage.