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Official Residences

Volume 473: debated on Monday 17 March 2008

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what changes have been made by the freeholder to leasehold extension rights regarding the Government House in Pimlico in the last five years. (183488)

[holding answer 31 January 2008]: The property is held on leases to 2053 from a superior tenant. The Department is not aware of any changes to leasehold extension rights by the freeholder.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) pursuant to the answer of 18 February 2008, Official Report, column 120W, on official residences, if she will place in the Library a copy of the tender advice for the disposal of South Eaton Place; (193186)

(2) pursuant to the answer of 18 February 2008, Official Report, column 455W, on official residences, what the timetable is for producing the home information pack for the sale of South Eaton Place.

The appointed selling agents, Savills UK (Sloane Street branch), are preparing advice on the best method of sale of the Home Secretary's former residence. This requires completion of relevant market research and pre-disposal due diligence. Once completed the Department will consider Savills' report and recommendations for successful disposal but as it is likely to be commercially confidential it is unlikely that it can be placed in the Library. The home information pack will be produced when the residence is placed on the market.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 18 February 2008, Official Report, column 455W, on official residences, who owns the freehold on the Government House in Pimlico, South Eaton Place. (193193)

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 18 February 2008, Official Report, column 455W, on official residences, on what date the right hon. Member for Sheffield, Brightside moved (a) into and (b) out of the residence at South Eaton Place. (193194)

The right hon. Member for Sheffield, Brightside (Mr. Blunkett) moved into the residence at South Eaton Place in the summer of 1997 and moved out in March 2006.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 18 February 2008, Official Report, column 455W, on official residences, what costs have been met by the public purse in respect of South Eaton Place during the period in which the property has been vacant. (193195)

Excluding security-related decommissioning, costs of £4,500 have been incurred since March 2006.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the value of the Government House in Pimlico was at its most recent valuation. (193196)

The Department's leasehold interest in this property was most recently valued at £2.4 million.