§ Sir Philip GoodhartTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has reached a decision on the future of 2 Marsham street, London; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HeseltineWe have decided to knock it down. No. 2 Marsham street is a Crown building which houses most of the headquarters staff of my Department and of the Department of Transport. The building is in need of major repair. Following detailed technical studies I am satisfied that repairs on the scale necessary would not be desirable. I have therefore decided that the existing building should be demolished. Options for the future of the site including sale, are now being considered.
The decision to demolish 2 Marsham street means that alternative accommodation has to be found for some 3,000 staff in my Department and the Department of Transport. The Secretary of State for Transport and I are considering our Departments' needs and how they can best be met. For my part, I have asked my officials to draw up proposals for moving a substantial number of the present Department of the Environment Headquarters posts to other locations, reducing my Department's requirement for accommodation in the central Westminster area. I have asked them particularly to examine the opportunities and value for money of relocation to docklands, where I am considering establishing a significant Departmental presence.