§ Mr. EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what publicly owned accommodation is made available to him in his official role; how many nights he has been in residence at each of these properties in the last 12 months; and what the total cost was of maintaining each of these properties in the last 12 months. [55094]
§ Mr. Blunkett[holding answer 9 May 2002]I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Lewes (Norman Baker) on 28 February 2002,Official Report, column I 443W and my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Westmorland and Lonsdale (Mr. Collins) on 21 January 2002, Official Report, column 599W and 28 January 2002, Official Report, column 91W.
The Home Office leases one property, acquired for security reasons, as the London residence of the Home Secretary of the day.
The total running costs of this property in 2001–02 were £12,122 including utilities and ground rent of £7,100.
In addition, a major programme of cyclical refurbishment—the first for some years—is now largely complete. This was needed to maintain the repair and value of the property and to deal with the impact of substantial flood and storm damage. Subject to final bills, the estimated committed expenditure in 2001–02 was £85,000. Completion of this cycle of work will put the property on a sound footing for the future; no further major refurbishment work should be required.