§ Sir Richard BodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the current costs of the Berlaymont renovation and connected expenses; what was the original projected cost; if he will make a statement on the presence of asbestos in that building; and which other Community institutions are in the process of relocation. [18480]
§ Mr. Doug HendersonThe Berlaymont building was evacuated in 1991, after the discovery of asbestos. The cost of renovation is estimated at ECU 325 million. The cost of asbestos removal is estimated at ECU 90 million. These costs will initially be borne by the Belgian Government (which owns the building). The Commission will reimburse the renovation costs (but not the cost of asbestos removal) over 27 years and will pay ECU 50 million for the building's shell. Legal ownership of the Berlaymont will then pass to them.
The only Community institution in the process of relocating is the European Parliament, which recently moved into a new building in Brussels and is constructing new premises in Strasbourg.