§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the improvements to the Treasury building to be achieved through the proposed PFI scheme. [97596]
§ Miss Melanie Johnson[holding answer 8 November 1999]: Extensive structural and remedial work is required to preserve and improve this important and historic Grade II* listed building, and to secure its future for at least the next 35 years. This will be its first major refurbishment in almost 100 years. The safety systems require major updating, as do all the other services. The deal will provide modern, efficient, serviced office accommodation for the Treasury to meet its business needs as it approached the 21st Century, and represents good value 646W for money for the taxpayer. Payment to Exchequer Partnership plc(EP) for the serviced accommodation will only be on delivery. If any of the accommodation is at any time unavailable, or services are not delivered to previously specified standards, then EP will suffer financial penalties. EP are required to ensure that the building is to be comparable with current best practice in respect of environmental standards, and to comply full with the Government's "green" policies, particularly energy targets.
§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much has been spent on(a) maintaining, (b) decorating and (c) otherwise improving the Treasury building since 1 May 1997. [97595]
647W
§ Miss Melanie Johnson[holding answer 8 November 1999]: Given the forthcoming PFI refurbishment project, spending in recent years has been confined to essential maintenance work, and to meeting health and safety requirements.
Figures for the last four complete financial years are as follows:
£ Maintenance 1Decoration 1995–96 21,725,000 — 1996–97 633,000 — 1997–98 1,117,000 — 1998–99 869,000 47,000 1 Decorating costs incurred by HMT prior to 1998–99 were not separately recorded and are included in the maintenance figures. Decorating costs incurred by other occupiers of the building are not available 2 Includes works service charge levied by Property Holdings (now PACE) to cover major maintenance work. This charge was discontinued from 1996–97 when HMT took over responsibility for running the building The money has been spent on a variety of measures, principally planned preventive maintenance on the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems; renewing parts of the electricity distribution system; prevention of water penetration; strengthening of basement vaults and fees to our facilities management company. No other improvements have been made to the building in recent years.