§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will indicate the cost of the refurbishments at his Department's offices in Leicester and the way the expenditure is to be incurred.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardThe only major refurbishment in Leicester is planned at Yeoman street office. We have a general programme for refurbishing offices over a period of years, which has now been implemented in many local offices and which has substantially improved the facilities and service for the public and enhanced the working areas for staff. The Yeoman street office was due for improvements under this programme and the opportunity is being taken to pilot there a new corporate image for our offices. Work is due to start in November, at an estimated cost of £625,000 in total.