§ Mr. Michael Forsythasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made on the disposal of the Killearn hospital site.
§ Mr. John MacKayMy Department will be making a formal application for planning permission to the planning authority when enabled to do so under powers granted in the Town and Country Planning Act 1984. These powers come into force on 12 August. The property will be placed on the market as soon as that process is completed.
§ Mr. Michael Forsythasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much is being spent each week on security and maintenance of the Killearn hospital site.
§ Mr. John MacKayApproximately £550.
§ Mr. Michael Forsythasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will make available a copy of the original requisition document for the Killearn hospital site; and whether that document contained an undertaking to return the land to agricultural use when the need for the hospital expired.
§ Mr. John MacKayI understand that the land was requisitioned by the War Department in 1939 or 1940. My Department does not hold any requisition document. Killearn estates, which acquired the land in 1939, sold it free of burden and voluntarily to the Secretary of State for Scotland in 1948. I shall send my hon. Friend copies of the dispositions, which contain no reversionary clause or other undertaking relating to use of the land when no longer needed for hospital purposes.