§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is the floor area in square feet of Alexander Fleming house; and what proportion of this is currently in use;
(2) what is the annual cost of upkeep of Alexander Fleming house;
(3) what is the current market value of Alexander Fleming house.
§ Sir George Young[holding answer 12 April 1994]: Alexander Fleming house was formerly occupied by the Department of Health and is now vacant following rationalisation of the Department's London offices and relocation of staff to Leeds. The building has a net internal floor area of 272,000 sq ft and future maintenance and security costs are estimated to average £500,000 per annum. The current rent is £313,157 per annum—£1.15 per sq ft—which is payable up to expiry of the lease in 1997. The offices are unlettable in the current market owing to their age and obsolescence and discussions have been held with the freeholder, with a view to early surrender of the lease. So far, however, it has not proved possible to reach agreement on acceptable terms.