§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what his estimate is of the cost of buildings refurbishment carried out by his Department in each of the last four years. [27958]
§ Mr. LeslieInformation requested covering 1997–98 to 2000–01 (inclusive) is as follows:
£ 1997–98 935,000 1998–99 4,139,000 1999–2000 16,694,000 2000–01 15,763,000 Note:
Figures include fees, furniture/office equipment and VAT
The increase between 1998–99 and 1999–2000 is mainly attributable to the commencement of the project to refurbish Admiralty Arch (completed in 2000–01) and the Ripley and Kirkland buildings (due for completion in 2002–03). The Ripley and Kirkland project is a major change project involving a complete refurbishment (including the installation of new mechanical, electrical and plumbing services and lifts). This will create modern office space. When the project is completed this will form 22 Whitehall; one of the Department's major buildings.
§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) how much has been spent on timber for the refurbishment of the Ripley and Kirkland building; [35686]
(2) how much certified timber has been used in the refurbishment of the Ripley and Kirkland building; and what proportion of the total timber purchased for this refurbishment this represents; [35685]
(3) what action was taken by his Department to ensure that timber procured for the refurbishment of the Ripley and Kirkland building was sourced (a) sustainably and (b) legally. [35684]
§ Mr. LeslieApproximately £460,000 of timber is being used in the refurbishment of 22 Whitehall (the Ripley and Kirkland buildings). With the exception of around £50,000 of timber which has been reclaimed (ie it is recycled) the remainder is all certified.
The contract used with the main contractor for the refurbishment of 22 Whitehall places a requirement on the contractor to provide timber from certifiable sustainably managed sources upon which certificates are to be made available. Evidence provided by the main contractor indicates that all the timber supplied so far has been derived from sustainable and legal sources, ie the timber has been purchased under certified logging schemes.