§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had with the Merseyside development corporation; what representations he has received about the construction of a power station within the Merseyside development corporation's planning area; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. TrippierI have regular discussions with the chairman of the Merseyside development corporation and recently I met the MDC board to discuss its corporate plan for the next three years. A proposal for the construction of a power station was considered by the Merseyside development corporation earlier this year, alongside other development options for the preferred site. I was informed of the issues under discussion by the MDC and other interested parties. It was for the MDC to decide the development strategy for the site, and it resolved to pursue a mixed-use strategy. Private developers are now drawing up proposals for consideration by the MDC.