§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total cost, including building,288W refurbishment and staff allowances, of merging the London-south collection local VAT and excise office into the single integrated office located in Southwark and officially opened in March 1993; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryThe total cost including building, refurbishment and staff allowances of merging the London south collection local VAT and excise offices into the single integrated office located in Southwark and officially opened in March 1993 was £4,898,300.
The minimum cost of maintaining the separate local VAT and Excise offices was estimated to be £2,836,900.
Annual savings on running costs from merging the offices were calculated to be £663,800 at 1993–94 prices, which means that the additional one-off costs of integration will be paid back in about three years.
The integrated office has a secure lease until 2009 and will continue to be used by Customs following a reorganisation of the regional structure.