Examination of Witnesses (Questions 160-165)
DEPARTMENT FOR
CHILDREN, SCHOOLS
AND FAMILIES,
OFFICE OF
GOVERNMENT COMMERCE
& HM TREASURY
14 JANUARY 2008
Q160 Mr Bacon: The old Home Office
building in Queen Anne's Gate was not sold, I seem to remember
reading in the press, because at the time a high enough price
was not reached and it remains therefore part of the government
estate. Perhaps Mr Burt will know more about this. I think I am
right in saying that something is now being done with it. Can
you tell us what?
Mr Burt: Yes, the building is
being refurbished and the Ministry of Justice is going to move
in there.
Q161 Mr Bacon: The whole thing will
be the Ministry of Justice building.
Mr Burt: Yes.
Q162 Mr Bacon: Was it not used in
a film, 1984, as the Ministry of Thought?
Mr Burt: I am not sure.
Q163 Mr Bacon: When will that be
finished?
Mr Burt: I believe it will be
finished later on this year?
Q164 Mr Bacon: Will it be a PFI or
is it going to be an on-the-books building?
Mr Burt: I do not think it is
PFI but I might be wrong. I will send you a note on that.7
Q165 Mr Bacon: If it is, perhaps
we will take a look at it.
Mr Burt: Yes.
Chairman: That concludes our hearing.
I should say that we have had a bit of a laugh about Grimsby,
but there is a serious issue behind this. Speaking for my own
constituency, if you look at some government departments relocating
away from smaller market towns, for instance this week we are
losing our vehicle testing centre, we have lost our magistrates'
courts, we are losing our police courts, there is a serious issue
behind this, also the lack of progress on getting jobs out of
London generally, but it has cost £6 billion to run your
estate so it is a very serious issue. We would like to have you
back before the end of this Parliament, Mr Smith, to see what
progress you have made and we would also like to have Ms Tulett
back. As you are the champion, we want you now to climb on your
steed and see whether you can deliver better performance in the
Treasury. I would like you back personally please. Thank you very
much.
7 Note by witness: This refurbishment
is not a PFI scheme and will be on the MOJ's balance sheet.
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