§ Sir Michael SpicerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the annual cost is of maintaining the blocks at 2 Marsham Street. [101153]
§ Mr. StrawMy Department took responsibility for the maintenance of 2 Marsham Street on 1 April 1999, as part of the Home Office Central London Accommodation Strategy. The budgeted cost of maintenance for the year to 31 March 2000 is £640,000 excluding Value Added Tax.
Most of this expenditure is related to health and safety issues.
A Winter Shelter under the Rough Sleepers Initiative is currently operating from 2 Marsham Street until 7 April 2000.