Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what plans he has for the future use or disposal of No. 36 Whitehall, formerly the Paymaster General’s Office; when it was vacated by its last public service occupants; what the annual cost to the public purse has been of the building in (a) rates and (b) maintenance; what estimate he has made of its (a) rental and (b) freehold value; and if he will make a statement.

The Government Property Agency is currently developing plans to refurbish the building for use by civil servants.

Due to reasons of commercial sensitivity, I will write to my Hon. Friend separately with details of these costs.