HC Deb 16 July 1991 vol 195 c128W
Mr. Cartwright

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those public buildings currently guarded by the London custody service(a) on a 24-hour basis and (b) during silent hours, indicating the numbers employed at each.

Mr. Heseltine

[holding answer 15 July 1991]: On security grounds, I am unable to release details of the buildings served by the London Custody Service or the number of guards at each location. However, I can advise that the London Custody Service currently services 17 buildings on a 24-hour basis using 137 guards and 90 buildings on a silent hours basis using 455 guards. The staff figures exclude reserves and inspectors.

Mr. Cartwright

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will set out the sums received in respect of the London custody service together with the total expenditure for each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Mr. Heseltine

[holding answer 15 July 1991]: The following figures are derived from the London custody service's memorandum trading accounts for the past five years.

Year Expenditure Receipts
(£) (£)
1986–87 10,582,135 10,854,012
1987–88 11,092,774 11,105,993
1988–89 11,451,805 11,532,647
1989–90 12,015,201 12,256,055
1990–91 12,959,623 13,135,296

Mr. Cartwright

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many staff are currently employed by the London custody service; and on what terms and conditions.

Mr. Heseltine

[holding answer 15 July 1991]: The London custody service operates on a repayment basis underpinned by a memorandum trading account. All clients are billed for the service they receive and charges are calculated to recover full costs.

Mr. Cartwright

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment on what basis other Government Departments and public bodies are charged for the services of the London custody service.

Mr. Heseltine

[holding answer 15 July 1991]: As at 10 July 1991, the London custody service employed 11 non-industrial staff and 720 industrial staff. All employees are civil servants.