HC Deb 18 November 2003 vol 413 c827W
Mr. Oaten

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the total cost to his Department was of(a) the Good to be Secure website, (b) the Don't let them bag your booty publicity campaign, (c) the Danny Timpson's Kebabathon computer game and (d) the Bargain Boost computer games; and whether Mr. David Dickinson received a fee for his involvement in the initiative. [138478]

Ms Blears

The Home Office is committed to reducing crime and we implement several campaigns to reduce the risk for the public.

Burglary is a high volume crime. It is a crime that causes fear and concern. Campaigns which help reduce risk and fear is therefore a priority for us. There are several groups who are particularly at risk—the elderly, students, home movers, and holidaymakers.

The campaigns we run are designed to reassure people and reduce their risk by offering them simple, practical advice on burglary prevention.

The students' campaign is one of those key campaigns.

The costs involved in the specific activities (including development costs) the hon. Gentleman mentioned were:

Maintenance Renovation Council tax Running costs/

utilities

 Capital charge/depreciation/

cost of capital
1997–98 2,581 0 304 3,189 77,995
1998–99 14,849 0 325 3,875 84,863
1999–2000 2,055 0 350 3,993 104,615
2000–01 6,457 0 375 2,268 120,702
2001–02 1,386 172,340 410 2,110 112,345
2002–03 237,338 27,440 445 5,306 122,199
1 Works carried out in 2001–02 were paid in 2002–03 when invoice was submitted
2Includes roof works of £12,342

Not included above is rent at £7,100 per annum and costs of security measures. Capital Charge and depreciation are related to the book value of the lease which was revalued in 2001.

2. Officials

Only in exceptional circumstances does my Department provide accommodation for officials other than seconded police officers. At present these are limited to three seconded junior staff carrying out duties which requires them to be located in Central London. The Prison Service also provides its staff including Governor grades with a limited number of married quarters