§ Mr. SalmondTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the location and running costs in the last year for which figures are available of each of his Department's buildings. [30098]
§ Mr. MorleyThe Department is currently responsible for 240 properties comprising large and small offices, laboratories, research farms and redundant buildings awaiting disposal. The properties are both freehold and leasehold, and are mainly situated in England with some in Wales and a few in Scotland. Details of the running costs of each building are not held centrally and disproportionate costs would be incurred to collect this information. However in 1997–98, the Department's expenditure on rents to landlords, opportunity cost rents to the Property Advisers to the Civil Estate (an executive agency of the Cabinet Office) and contributions in lieu of rates are expected to be £34,445,000. Further, in 1997–98, the Department's expenditure on the day to day running of the buildings, maintenance, repair, refurbishment and decommissioning redundant sites is expected to be £25,053,000.