§ Mr. Tony LloydTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make a statement on English Heritage's decision not to attend the public inquiry on the future status of Longford hall, Stretford as a listed building.
§ Mr. Sproat[holding answer 30 March 1994]: Any decision whether or not to attend a public inquiry is one for English Heritage to take in the light of the circumstances, including whether the case for preservation is likely to be made effectively by other parties. In this case, English Heritage has undertaken to submit a written statement to the inquiry.
§ Mr. Tony LloydTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what work was defined as in need of urgent attention by English Heritage when their officers visited Longford hall, Stretford on 12 May 1993; what was the value of that work; when the work was completed; and what discussions have taken place since that time between English Heritage and Trafford council.
§ Mr. Sproat[holding answer 30 March 1994]: English Heritage's report included a schedule of repairs to the whole building totalling £62,500. Some £5,000 of this related to the most urgent works to the original part of the hall, and those works were completed by Trafford metropolitan borough council in January this year. English Heritage has had no discussions with the council since it inspected the works on 21 January, and advised that certain further minor works' were necessary. All the works carried out were designed to ensure that there would be no further deterioration pending a decision by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment on the future of the hall.