HC Deb 22 May 1992 vol 208 cc269-70W
Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will indicate the total cost of land purchases and land reclamation on sites in London docklands which have been sold on to private developers.

Mr. Redwood

Information in the form requested is only available at disproportionate cost. However, up to 31 March 1992, the London Docklands Development Corporation spent £161 million on land acquisition and £118 million on reclamation. Its policy is to sell such land to the private sector for development.

Mr. Dobson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total amount of public money spent by the London Docklands development corporation to date.

Mr. Redwood

[Holding answer 21 May 1992]: To the end of 1991–92, the London Docklands development corporation had received £1,348 million in grant aid. The corporation has also been able to utilise receipts of some £300 million.

Mr. Dobson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is the total value of business rates forgone in the London Docklands enterprise zone;

(2) what is the total of business rates forgone in the Canary Wharf development.

Mr. Redwood

[Holding answer 21 May 1992]: Up to 31 March 1990, rate revenue forgone in the Isle of Dogs enterprise zone amounted to £37,593,000. Information is not held centrally on rate revenue forgone for individual developments.

Mr. Dobson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the price charged to the developers for the land on which Canary Wharf is being built.

Mr. Redwood

[holding answer 21 May 1992]: The London Docklands Development Corporation sold the Canary Wharf site to Olympia and York for £20.2 million.

Mr. Spearing

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will state the financial benefits derived by Olympia and York by virtue of their presence in the Isle of Dogs enterprise zone from investment allowance, business rate exemption or other advantages.

Mr. Squire

[holding answer 21 May 1992]: This information is not available.

Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a table indicating for each year since 1981, at current prices, the amount of money provided in tax allowances in the Isle of Dogs enterprise zone.

Mr. Dobson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is the total amount of capital allowances claimed by companies in the London Docklands enterprise zone.

(2) what is the total of capital allowances (a) claimed and (b) claimable for the Canary Wharf development.

Mr. Redwood

The total cost of capital allowances for all enterprise zones in Britain, estimated at 31 March 1990, was £660 million in 1989–90 prices. No information on the cost of capital allowances is available for individual enterprise zones or developments within them.