Ms Clare McGrath:

I recently had conversations with international colleagues in this area and the issue we all have is the data to underpin the evidence, which will allow us to create the standard. We are looking at the building, but the occupier is responsible. Looking at total facilities management, one would be asking how much the building costs to occupy. That applies to the cleaning contracts, window-cleaning, utility bills, and so on, some of which we do not record because we do not deal with it; the occupiers do. We are seeking - the Office of Government Procurement is also working in this space - to use the standard language, the IEN standard, when we are replacing any of these contracts in the future. That would mean that when they place a contract for cleaning it will be reported on, and the payments will be made based on the standard, so that ultimately, in a number of years' time, we will be able to give the total cost of occupancy for any given building. I see that as deliverable, but it will take time. We need to put the information systems in place so that we are all applying the same standard and so that our financial systems are recording the same information. We will then be providing that.