§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the items sold by his Department, its agencies and associated public bodies from those listed in the National Asset Register of November 1997; if he will give in each case the amount of money realised; if he will estimate the total cash raised from such sales to date; and if he will make a statement. [70409]
§ Mr. Timms[holding answer 11 February 1999]: The National Asset Register published in November 1997 showed the assets held by the Department, its agencies and associated public bodies to be 195 freehold properties, 54 historic leasehold properties, 59,500 personal computers, 24,400 printers and 2,853 vehicles.
In the period to the end of January 1999 the Department sold a relatively small percentage of its personal computers and printers. 746 vehicles were sold realising £2,223,458.
The Department's freehold and historic leasehold properties were transferred to the private sector as part of two Private Finance Initiative deals. On 8 January 1998 the Department transferred the six properties in the Newcastle Estate (Newcastle Longbenton, Gosforth Broadway West, Newcastle Ponteland Road, Washington Emerson House, Newcastle Tyneview Park and Washington Durham House) to the Newcastle Estate Partnership. The Department did not receive a cash sum but will be charged rentals at a reduced rate for the period of the contract. On 1 April 1998 the remainder of the Department's estate was transferred as part of the Private Sector Resource Initiative for Management of the Estate (PRIME). The Department received cash consideration of £250 million. The National Audit Office have performed Value For Money studies on both of the contracts. The reports are due to be published later this year.
The estimated total cash raised from such sales to date is £252,223,458.