§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what plans he has to delist the Gourock ropeworks in Port Glasgow; and if he will make a statement;
(2) when he last received a report from (a) Historic Scotland and (b) Renfrewshire Enterprise Company on the current condition of the Gourock ropeworks, Port Glasgow; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir Hector Monro[holding answer 8 June 1993]: The Secretary of State has no plans to delist the Gourock ropeworks, Port Glasgow. The building is undoubtedly of listable quality and it remains listed at category A.
Historic Scotland is in regular communication with Inverclyde district council about the ropeworks building and is informed of the council's actions to safeguard the condition of the building and the general security of the site. The council acted last year, in the interests of public safety, to make the building secure against intruders and to carry out works elsewhere on the site and generally tidy up the appearance of the site. Only recently, I believe, has the owner complied with the council's requirement and erected a security fence along the Bay street frontage, following the earlier site clearance works.
Renfrewshire Enterprise Company has, I understand, been involved in consideration of the condition of the building and its development potential in the light of a specific declared interest by a possible developer. That has not, however, been pressed by the developer concerned. The local enterprise company has made no report to the Secretary of State on the ropeworks building.
Historic Scotland will be having a further meeting with the council shortly, and will report on the latest developments to my right hon. Friend.