§ Mr. BarnesTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what has been the cost of the maintenance of Century House since June 1996; and what plans there are for the building. [50187]
§ Mr. KilfoyleResponsibility for this matter has been delegated under the terms of the Framework Document to the Property Advisers to the Civil Estate. I have asked its Chief Executive, Mr. John Locke, to write to my hon. Friend.
Letter from John C. Locke to Mr. Harry Barnes, dated July 1998:
The Parliamentary Secretary of the Office of Public Service has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question concerning Century House.The building became the responsibility of Property Advisers to the Civil Estate from 1 April 1996 and the freehold was sold on 9 December 1997.The cost of maintenance from 1 June 1996 until the date of sale was £224,186 including fees and VAT.As the sale was on an unconditional basis, we are unaware of the purchasers' present plans for the building but believe that residential use is proposed.