To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has on the maintenance costs of County hall, London SE1, over the past two years.

I understand from the London residuary body that the cost of maintaining County hall in 1989–90 was £3·8 million and is estimated at £2·7 million for 1990–91. For this purpose maintenance includes security, insurance, cleaning and energy costs as well as repairs and day-to-day maintenance.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has on the current annualised cost of keeping County hall, London SE1 empty.

The London residuary body estimates that, if it were not to dispose of County hall in 1991–92, the cost of repairs and maintenance, security, insurance and energy in that year would be £2·5 million.