§ Mr Austin MitchellTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much rent was paid by(a) Inland Revenue and (b) Customs for their offices in the last nine months of 2001; to which companies; and if he will give the equivalent information for (i) the first six months of 2002 and (ii) a forecast of the total for the next 10 years. [80220]
§ Dawn PrimaroloThe majority of the Departments' accommodation is now occupied as serviced accommodation under a number of PFI/PPP contracts. Under some of these contracts the Departments pay a unitary charge in return for serviced accommodation which includes the accommodation, related facilities management and maintenance. The unitary charge does not include any separately identifiable amount in respect of rent. The main such contract is the STEPS contract with Mapeley.
The Departments have paid the following unitary charges to Mapeley Steps Contractor Ltd:
Inland Revenue HM Customs & Excise Last 9 months of 2001 First 6 months of 2002 Last 9 months of 2001 First 6 months of 2002 Payment (plus VAT) £99,375,490 £67,512,708 £35,541,277 £24,000,123 It has not proved possible to obtain corresponding information for the other PFI/PPP contracts in the time available. I will write to the HM with this information and put a copy of my letter in the House Library.
In addition both Departments occupy certain property outside the PFI/PPP contracts where rent is payable to a number of landlords. For example the Customs & Excise posts at ports and airports. The information on the rent payable on these properties could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.