§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the future of the former Department of the Environment building at 2 Marsham Street. [55201]
989W
§ 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 Cohen, dated October 1998:
The Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office, Peter Kilfoyle, has asked me as Chief Executive of PACE with management responsibilities for 2 Marsham Street, to respond to your Parliamentary Question about the future of this building.2 Marsham Street is a Government freehold property which until April this year was occupied by the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR). While it remains vacant, this Agency is responsible for its general upkeep to ensure it remains wind and watertight and is not subjected to vandalism of any kind.There is a possibility that Marsham Street will be used as temporary decant accommodation for another Government Department while its premises are refurbished. A decision on this is expected early in the New Year. If reuse of the building cannot be justified in Exchequer terms, the building will be demolished. This is expected to take some eighteen months following the letting of a contract.