§ Mr. LeighTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when the former Department of the Environment building in Marsham Street will be demolished. [44945]
§ Mr. KilfoyleResponsibility for this matter has been delegated under the terms of the Framework Document to Property Advisers to the Civil Estate. I have asked its Chief Executive, Mr. John Locke, to write to the hon. member.
Letter from John C. Locke to Mr. Edward Leigh, dated 10 June 1998
Demolition of 2 Marsham Street
You tabled a written Parliamentary Question to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster asking when the former Department of Environment building in Marsham Street will be demolished. The care and maintenance of 2 Marsham Street is now the responsibility of the Property Advisers to the Civil Estate (PACE) and as Chief Executive I have been asked to reply to your question.
The Department of Environment and Transport vacated the building at the end of April 1998 and Government's intention was to let a contract for its demolition this summer with the work expected to take some 18 months to complete.
Demolition is however conditional on any overriding Government need for temporary decant accommodation. If such a need materialised then reuse would prove to be a better value for money solution to the Exchequer than immediate demolition.
Two government departments are planning to refurbish their HQ accommodation and are currently considering proposals which might lead to the temporary use of Marsham Street. Temporary reoccupation will have the effect of deferring demolition until Autumn 2002 at the earliest.