No. 2 Marsham Street (Hansard, 29 June 1999)

§ The Minister of State, Cabinet Office (Lord Falconer of Thoroton)

Responsibility for this matter has been delegated under the terms of the Framework Document for Property Advisers to the Civil Estate. I have asked its Chief Executive, Mr. John Locke, to write to the noble Lord.

Letter from the Chief Executive of the Property Advisers to the Civil Estate, Mr. John Locke, dated 28 June 1999.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton has asked me, as Chief Executive of the Property Advisers to the Civil Estate (PACE) which has responsibility for the disposal of 2 Marsham Street, to reply to your question about the Government's future plans for this building.

21WA

It is our intention to demolish 2 Marsham Street as soon as practicable. However, immediate plans to commence demolition have been put on hold because temporary reuse, as well as demolition and rebuilding, is an option under consideration by Home Office as part of their Headquarters' PFI project.

A decision by Home Office is expected later this year, but it cannot be taken until a further round of bids for their project has been completed. Pending this decision, Home Office have taken on management responsibility and are paying the holding costs of the property.