§ Ms BuckTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made on his plans for new office accommodation for the Home Office and HM Prison Service staff working in Central London. [133794]
§ Mr. StrawSubject to final contract negotiations, I have decided to proceed with the relocation of the Home Office, including the Prison Service, to a new development on the site of the former Department of Environment offices at Marsham Street, where outline planning consent exists for a mixed office, residential and commercial development. Annes Gate Property PLC has been selected as the Preferred Bidder for the project which is going forward as a public private partnership competition. The demolition of the existing building on the Marsham Street site will commence after contracts are exchanged. This depends on progress with further negotiations but is unlikely to be before Spring 2001. Completion of the new development is expected to be in 2004.