§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the cost of buildings insurance to his Department was(a) before and (b) after 11 September 2001. [66927]
§ Mr. AlexanderDepartments are required to comply with the Government's general policy on insurance, which is set out in Government Accounting, Chapter 30, paragraph 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 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, paragraph 30.2.11a). For the Cabinet Office the figures requested are as follows:
1 April 2001 to 11 September 2001: £14,799.0012 September 2001 to 31 March 2001: £27,746.00.The increase in the post 11 September 2002 figure is primarily due to changes in the Cabinet Office's estate.