§ Mr. FisherTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) what brief and limits he set for the study he has commissioned on the future of Whitehall and of its urban design consequences;
(2) what is the cost of the study of the future of Whitehall and of its urban design consequences will be published;
(3) when he expects the study of the future of Whitehall and of its urban design consequences will be published.
§ Sir Paul BeresfordI have been asked to reply.
Property Holdings commissioned a portfolio review last year to examine the scope for rationalising the Whitehall estate and for reuse of surplus space. Property Holdings with the Department of National Heritage also commissioned an urban design study of the Government estate in the Whitehall conservation area, which will provide day-to-day best practice advice to Departments carrying out maintenance and alterations affecting the 280W external appearance of their Whitehall buildings. Copies of the reference for both studies will be placed in the Library of the House.
The portfolio review is on-going and the initial report was received in October 1994. It is estimated to cost up to £75,000 plus VAT, but it will not be published as it includes market-sensitive information that could affect any property negotiations resulting from the study. The design is expected to be completed by July 1995 and a copy will be placed in the Library of the House. It is estimated to cost £40,000 plus VAT, including the printing and production costs of the guide.