HC Deb 07 February 2002 vol 379 cc1119-20W
Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if she will make a statement on the reasons for the extent of the change in the costs of depreciation and capital charges from 1999–2000 to 2000–01. [24765]

Mrs. Liddell

The Scotland Office was established in its present form on 1 July 1999. The figures for depreciation and capital charges for 1999–2000 are therefore for a nine month period.

For my Department, the cost of capital arises mainly from the occupancy of Dover House in Whitehall. The building was professionally revalued on 31 March 1999 and, under current accounting procedures, is due to have a professional revaluation every five years. Depreciation of other assets is by equal instalments over their estimated useful life.