# = pounds sterling

HM Treasury News Release
163/98                                       8 October 1998
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             REFURBISHMENT OF THE TREASURY BUILDING


Paymaster General Geoffrey Robinson today announced that
discussions with Exchequer Partnership plc were being resumed to
explore whether a basis could be found for developing its PFI
proposals for the refurbishment of the Treasury building.  If
negotiations are successful, the aim will be to refurbish the
Treasury building to a good, modern standard for use by the
public sector.  A further announcement on the outcome of the
resumed negotiations will be made in due course.


NOTES TO EDITORS

1.   Plans to refurbish GOGGS (Government Offices Great George
     Street), were announced on 24 January 1995, and Exchequer
     Partnership plc were chosen as preferred bidder on 13
     September 1996.  Treasury Ministers felt that the structure
     and scope of their initial proposal needed development and
     that the timing - prior to the Comprehensive Spending
     Review being completed - was inappropriate.  Ministers
     therefore halted the earlier negotiations with Exchequer
     Partnership plc on 31 July 1997.

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     release at http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk.  Material on
     other Treasury issues can also be found at this address.