HC Deb 27 July 1988 vol 138 cc344-5W
Mr. Dykes

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will hold discussions with the London residuary body on the case for holding a public exhibition and consultation over the plans for future use of county hall, after its eventual disposal from the public sector.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

No. This will be a matter for the new owners of country hall.

Mr. Dykes

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will estimate the amount of delay incurred by the London residuary body in the possible disposal of county hall, to allow time for the abolition of the Inner London education authority.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

No delay attributable to the abolition of the Inner London education authority is expected in the disposal of county hall.

Mr. Dykes

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will discuss with the London residuary body its sources of expert advice on the architectural and historical aspects of the proposal to convert county hall from public use to hotel use.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

No. Any development of county hall will be subject to the usual planning and listed building procedures. It is for the applicants themselves, whoever they may be, to take what expert advice they consider necessary in preparing their proposals.

Mr. Dykes

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to ensure that full and lengthy public consultation will take place and that all the appropriate national and Greater London bodies and agencies will be fully consulted in regard to the disposal of county hall.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

There are no grounds for placing such an obligation on the London residuary body in view of its statutory duty to dispose of all surplus GLC property.