§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what the cost of buildings insurance to the Lord Chancellor's Department was(a) before and (b) after 11 September 2001. [66934]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonDepartments are required to comply with the Government's general policy on insurance which is set out in Government accounting, Chapter 30, para 30.2.5, which notes that Government do not need to purchase insurance to protect the viability of its business and should consider insurance only where the value of claims met would exceed the cost of the insurance premiums. Commercial insurance of a building is acceptable in cases where(a) insurance is a condition of a lease (b) the lessor will not accept a Government indemnity (c) incurring the total cost of the accommodation in question, including the cost of the insurance is more cost effective than other accommodation options [Government Accounting, para 30.2.11 a]
The Lord Chancellor's Department incurs insurance costs as a condition of their lease on various leasehold properties they occupy through the landlord service charges levied. Details of the annual insurance premiums per property pre and post 11 September are not available and the Department would incur a disproportionate cost establishing this information.