§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what procedure was adopted by Irvine development corporation in replacing the managing director of the development corporation; and what was the involvement of the Scottish Office in this matter. [35750]
§ Mr. KynochIrvine development corporation, as the employer, sought applications for the post of managing director from senior staff serving in the five new town development corporations in Scotland. Following consideration and interviews, John Murdoch was appointed to succeed Brigadier Rickets on his retiral. The matter was discussed as part of the regular exchanges between the chairman of the board and officials of the Scottish Office Industry Department.
§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the amount spent by each development corporation in supporting housing associations or co-operatives within their areas; and if he will list the bodies which have received this funding and the amounts involved. [35729]
§ Mr. KynochExpenditure up to 30 June 1995 is set out in the table:
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Development corporation Housing association Amount £ Cumbernauld Abronhill housing association 10,500 East Kilbride East Kilbride and district housing association 105,990 Glenrothes Glenrothes community housing association 25,782
Development corporation Housing association Amount £ Irvine Irvine housing association 1311,770 Livingston Almond housing association 68,205 1 This figure includes the costs of two staff seconded from Irvine development corporation to Irvine housing association.
§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is(a) the number of residential properties in each of the new towns which thus far have been transferred to other landlords and (b) the number of properties transferred in each case; to which landlord the properties were transferred; and what was the capital receipt accruing to the development corporation in each case. [35727]
§ Mr. KynochThe information as at 30 June is set out in the table.
Development corporation Housing association Number of properties transferred1 Capital receipts £ million2 Glenrothes Kingdom 234 7.58 Link 30 1.35 Collydean 190 6.65 Hillcrest 216 *3.14 Total 670 18.72 East Kilbride Loretto 20 .90 Link 60 2.70 East Kilbride and District 294 *2.28 Total 374 5.88 Cumbernauld Bield 64 2.10 Link 163 *4.30 West of Scotland 136 5.07 GAP 57 *1.22 YWCA 23 0.51 Abronhill 146 *0.94 Total 589 14.14 Livingston Almond 184 *1.06 Castle Rock (Livingston) 76 *0.45 Edinvar in Livingston 44 *0.21 Canmore 92 2.41 Total 396 4.13 1 These are made up of new build and, except in Glenrothes, older stock. The split is different in each of the 3 towns and affects the level of receipts and the average price paid. 2 The basis of valuing housing stock for transfer was changed in May 1993 to a basis compatible with the RICS Guidance "The Valuation on Transfer of Local Authority Housing Stock". This approach reflected more closely the conditions of sale, in particular retention in the socially rented sector, and ended the need for purchasers to receive Housing Association Grant (HAG) from Scottish Homes. The Associations which have not received HAG are marked with an asterisk.
§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which companies indicated an interest in the industrial assets of Irvine development corporation. [35693]
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§ Mr. KynochSale particulars of Irvine's industrial portfolio were circulated widely and strong interest was noted from nine companies, six of which submitted informal bids. Five companies, whose bids were above the asking price, were invited to submit, and submitted, formal offers. The names of companies are commercially sensitive and, save for the successful purchasers, are not made public.
§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when Irvine development corporation first entered into negotiations with Ashtenne Irvine Ltd. relating to their purchase of Irvine new town's industrial assets. [35694]
§ Mr. KynochAstenne Irvine Ltd., along with the other four companies asked to submit a formal bid, were interviewed by the corporation over a two-day period on 8 and 9 November 1994.
§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much was raised by the sale of Irvine development corporation's industrial assets; and how much of this revenue will be used for investment in Irvine new town after the wind-up of Irvine development corporation. [35695]
§ Mr. KynochInformation about sales prior to April 1992 is not held centrally. For the period from April 1992 to June 1995 industrial disposals by Irvine development corporation realised £30.2 million. These resources have been allocated by the Secretary of State to his programmes, including those for the new towns, in the year in which they were generated. Accordingly, none of these particular receipts will be available for investment after the winding up of the development corporation.
§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much has been spent by Irvine development corporation in supporting the Irvine housing association. [35730]
§ Mr. KynochAt 30 June 1995, Irvine development corporation had provided £311,770 to support Irvine housing association. This included the costs of the two staff on secondment to the association from the corporation.