Written question asked by John Bercow (Conservative) on Friday, 26 November 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 7 April 2005. It was answered by Ivor Caplin (Labour) on Thursday, 7 April 2005 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his estimate is of the cost of building refurbishment carried out by his Department in each of the last two years.

Answer: Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his estimate is of the cost of building refurbishment carried out by his Department in each of the last two years. [200801] Mr. Caplin: "Refurbishment" is not a term which the Ministry of Defence uses in gathering or recording financial information about the estate, as it can be regarded as capital or maintenance expenditure depending on the circumstances. Work on buildings, which might be categorised as "refurbishment", can range from minor modifications and maintenance to the complete restoration of buildings, and the replacement of machinery such as lifts. Historic information is not currently held centrally or on a consistent basis and it would be impossible to answer the question without disproportionate cost and effort.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 200801; 432 c1740W;432 c1735W
Session: 2004-05
Subjects: Costs Buildings Government departments Ministry of Defence Repairs and maintenance
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk