§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the latest situation concerning the site of the international garden festival.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinNegotiations between the Merseyside Development Corporation and Liverpool city council about the future of the international garden festival site are still taking place. Both sides are committed to retaining the 45-acre riverside park, promenade, festival hall and arena for long-term public use and the current negotiations concern the mechanism by which this can best be achieved.
In addition, for 1985, the MDC is finalising plans to open substantial parts of the remainder of the original festival site not immediately required for development.
I expect an announcement very soon.