§ Mr. Beggsasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if he will list details of the age, type and number of housing and shop units vandalised at Derry Hill, Rathcoole; and if he will include the last date on which any tenant had housing accommodation in the complex;
(2) what was the estimated value of the Derry Hill flats and shopping complex at Rathcoole;
(3) what is the estimated cost of reinstatement of the Derry Hill complex;
(4) how much it will cost to demolish the vandalised property at Derry Hill, Rathcoole; and when demolition and site clearance will commence;
(5) if he will give priority to providing suitable replacement shops and parking spaces in the phased demolition and redevelopment of the Deny Hill site at Rathcoole;
(6) what steps he proposes to take to secure the protection of publicly-owned property at Derry Hill, 133W Rathcoole, following its reconstruction; and if he will employ private security firms on this work; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Chris PattenThese are matters for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, but I understand from the chairman that the three-storey complex, comprising 20 one-bed flats, two bedsitters, four two-bed maisonettes, two three-bed maisonettes and three shops, was built in 1959 and has been entirely vandalised apart from the shops; the housing accommodation was last tenanted in March 1984. The cost of constructing the complex at current prices is estimated to be £550,000 to £600,000. In view of inherent design problems, approval has been given for demolition, at an estimated cost of £25,000, to commence in autumn 1985; the proposed replacement accommodation is estimated to cost some £310,000. Replacement shops with parking provision are included in the proposal. It is not envisaged that special security measures will be needed to protect the completed redevelopment.