§ Lord Sefton of Garstonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What were the circumstances which led to their purchase of the building at Vauxhall Cross.
The Minister of State, Department of the Environment (Vicount Ullswater)The building at Vauxhall Cross was acquired for the Secret Intelligence Service, who needed a new building with modern facilities.
§ Lord Sefton of Garstonasked Her Majesty's Government:
(a) What was the cost of the building acquired at Vauxhall Cross.
(b) What was the cost of adaptations and alterations needed to make it conform to the needs of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
(c) How many contractors and agents were involved in the purchase and adaptation of the building.
§ Viscount UllswaterThe cost of the site and new building at Vauxhall Cross was £144 million. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's original provision for equipping the building was £86 million. The latest figure (at 1994–95 prices) is £83.6 million and is shown in the supply estimates. The building was developed by Regalian plc and acquired for the Government by the Property Services Agency. A large number of consultants and contractors were employed on the project. For reasons of security it would be inappropriate to provide further details.