HC Deb 03 April 1985 vol 76 cc663-4W
Mr. Campbell-Savours

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the latest estimated capital cost per square foot of the new international conference centre at Westminster.

Sir George Young

£146 per square foot. This is based on the current estimated cost of the construction of the centre, including fixed equipment. It does not include landscaping or fitting out the parliamentary telephone exchange.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment to what use the lowest of the three floors of the new international conference centre at Westminster will be put.

Sir George Young

The ICC's telephone exchange will be in the lowest of the three basements.

Space previously earmarked for an extension of the parliamentary telephone exchange may be used to provide storage for the conference centre.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimates he has made of the potential demand for facilities in the new international conference centre at Westminster; and if he will make a statement.

Sir George Young

The centre's primary function will be to accommodate Government conferences of all kinds, national as well as international. At other times, its facilities will be made available to other users on commercial terms.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what are the estimated annual running costs of the new international conference centre at Westminister;

(2) which existing facilities the new international conference centre at Westminister is designed to replace or supplement; and if he will make a statement;

(3) what is the projected rate of return on capital of the new international conference centre at Westminister; and how this figure has been calculated.

Sir George Young

The new conference centre is being built to meet the Government's need for major international conferences for which existing facilities are inadequate. A business plan is being prepared which will include a detailed assessment of prospective revenue and costs and the opportunities for relinquishing any surplus property held on lease.