§ Mr. MeacherTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will set out the statutory provisions which allow him to require the residuary authority to sell Cardiff Wales airport.
§ Mr. RedwoodI have decided that any shares in Cardiff Wales Airport Company which remain in the ownership of any of the three Glamorgan county councils immediately prior to 1 April 1996 should vest in the residuary body for Wales. This would he achieved automatically under paragraph 11(1) of schedule 13 to the Local Government (Wales) Act 1994.
I have the power in paragraph 12 of the same schedule to direct the residuary body in respect of the exercise of its functions. It would be open to me to issue a direction requiring it to dispose of certain property, rights or liabilities.
I was delighted to learn recently that the three Glamorgan county councils are now agreed that the disposal of their shares before local government reorganisation is the most appropriate course.