§ Malcolm BruceTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the buildings occupied by staff of(a) his Department and (b) agencies which require (i) remedial work on, and (ii) removal of, asbestos; what that work will cost; and what budgets are available for (A) this work and (B) further asbestos surveys in (1)2004 and (2)2005. [159351]
§ Ruth KellyThe information regarding those of the Chancellor's Departments affected is set out below. Information on buildings identified as containing asbestos was placed in the Library of the House in response to a question from the hon. Member for Twickenham (Dr. Cable) in July 2003,Official Report, column 301W.
The majority of those buildings housing staff from the Inland Revenue, Customs and Excise and the Valuation Office have been owned by Mapeley Ltd. under the STEPS contract since April 2001. Mapeley have responsibility under the contract to manage the STEPS 1684W estate in respect of the new Asbestos Regulations. The costs of any works and surveys associated with asbestos will therefore be met by them.
Six buildings on the Royal Mint site are affected. An external study, costing up to £1,500, will be undertaken this year to review further the existing control systems, and to determine what work may be required to comply with the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002. No specific budget has been earmarked for this work as costs will be covered by the general budget provisions for building maintenance.
In the Office for National Statistics all remedial or removal work identified in earlier asbestos surveys has been carried out. New surveys and management plans are being completed, at a cost of £81,000, and will identify any further work required.
A recent survey in the Office of Government Commerce has revealed asbestos at the Edinburgh office. A further survey is being carried out to determine the best means of treatment, and the cost. These costs will be met from normal estates and maintenance budgets.