§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the annual cost to his Department and his Department's agencies and non-departmental public bodies of their empty and under utilised properties for(a) 1979–80, (b) 1989–90, (c) 1991–92, (d) 1993–94, (e) 1994–95, (f) 1995–96 and (g) 1996–97. [11450]
§ Mrs. Angela Knight[holding answer 30 January 1996]: The properties occupied by the Treasury, the Central Statistical Office, the Paymaster agency and the Valuation Office formed part of the Government's civil estate until 1990 and then the Government's common user estate. Information relating to the costs of holding CUE space vacant were given my hon. Friend Under-Secretary of State for the Environment on 31 January, columns 648–49.
From 1 April 1996, Departments and their agencies assume responsibility for the CUE vacant space. The cost of such vacant space to the Treasury and the agencies responsible to the Chancellor of the Exchequer is estimated to be £574,000 for 1996–97. The Treasury is making every effort to dispose of the empty property as efficiently as possible.
The Royal Mint is responsible for its own property. It has not incurred, and does not envisage incurring, any costs in respect of vacant space for the years in question.