HC Deb 16 November 1990 vol 180 cc251-2W
Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what financial consequences for London's local authorities will result from the failure of the London residuary body to sell county hall before 31 October; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Portillo

The prospective purchaser did not complete the contract of sale. The London residuary body notified London boroughs on 25 October that there would be no general distribution of Greater London capital receipts this year. Since 1986–87 London boroughs have had the benefit of £486 million capital receipts distributed by the LRB from the sale of surplus ex-GLC property.

Miss Hoey

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total estimated cost to the London residuary body of proceeding, from 1 October, with the planning application for the change of use for county hall initially submitted jointly by itself and the County Hall Development Group; and how these costs will be met.

Mr. Key

A figure is not available because of the uncertainties attached to the future progress of the planning and associated applications. Such costs as are incurred are being met in the first instance from the London residuary body's own resources.

Miss Hoey

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the London residuary body has estimated the demand for the meeting facilities at county hall and the income which could be derived from making them immediately available to potential users.

Mr. Key

No. The LRB's objective is to dispose of county hall.

Miss Hoey

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the feasibility study into the possible future uses of county hall, promised by the then Minister on 12 February 1985, Standing Committee G, column 1270, will be presented to Parliament.

Mr. Key

I will place in the Library a copy of the report which the London residuary body commissioned from Richard Ellis in February 1986 about the possible uses, marketing and disposal of county hall when the LRB decides to publish it. The report contains information that is commercially confidential.

Miss Hoey

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total estimated cost per month to the London residuary body from 1 October of maintaining county hall; and how these costs will be met.

Mr. Key

The costs are a matter for the London residuary body. They will be financed from the residuary body's revenue balances.

Miss Hoey

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether any damage has been done to the fabric of county hall during the preparation for its transfer to new owners with vacant possession prior to 1 October.

Mr. Key

I am not aware of any damage to county hall.