§ Ms. Harmanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, pursuant to his reply of 19 February 1987, Official Report, column 820, why premises at 72 Rye lane, Peckham, were considered suitable for occupation by the task force if the ventilation system renders the premises inadequate for use as a Department of Health and Social Security office.
§ Mr. ChopeI have been asked to reply.
The premises at 72 Rye lane was used by the Department of Health and Social Security as accommodation for about 100 staff until June 1986. The Department of Employment, which had an urgent need for temporary accommodation for their North Peckham task force, then occupied a small part of the premises. The Department of Employment consider that the defects in the ventilation system do not represent a serious problem in view of the lower density of occupation and the working methods of the task force.