§ 5 Mr. Tony Banksasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, pursuant to the reply, Official Report 717W July, column 261, regarding main use office permissions, he will explain why the data requested by the hon. Member for Newham, North-West could be assembled only at disproportionate cost; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir George YoungMy Department does not maintain data on office permissions in the form requested.
§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what data he has available (a) on the current status of main use office developments of over 10,000 sq ft in central London for which planning permission was granted over the period 1971 to 1983 and (b) of other permissions granted in the period for the purpose of (i) considering appeals and (ii) considering local plans; if he is satisfied with the quality and quantity of the available information; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir George YoungThe Department produces detailed information on levels of office floor space stock, for each region, county and local authority, in commercial and industrial floor space statistics published annually. The latest edition gives information to 1 April 1983, and statistics are given by size band, and reasons for changes in stock levels.
Information on the future office supply and availability and take up of office premises is published regularly by a number of leading firms of surveyors and market analysts. The supply of, and demand for, offices is essentially a matter to be determined by the market, which is best equipped to monitor major over and under supplies of office space.
My Department is actively considering the need for research into development policy, including the question of office permissions and supply and demand in London and elsewhere.