§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Scotland further to his answer to the hon. Member for Aberdeen, South on 29 January regarding the sale of Robroyston hospital, why it was considered reasonable to allow the purchasing company eight months to pay after completion of the documents of sale; how the period of eight months was arrived at; and what estimate he has made of the loss to public funds because of loss of interest on this sum being withheld for this period.
§ Mr. YoungerThe Department had the option to sell the subjects with a condition of entry in May 1978 or to retain the subjects, with the costs that that would entail. Loss of interest therefore did not arise.
§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Scotland, further to his answer
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§ Mr. YoungerThe information requested is set out in the table below. For the purposes of this question, Government support to revenue expenditure is taken to be Government subsidies to public housing authorities, rent rebates and rent allowances, and option mortgage, subsidy. The figures shown for capital expenditure are net figures.
to the hon. Member for Aberdeen, South on 29 January regarding the sale of Robroystort hospital, which inquiries and on what date, officers of his Department made of the regional council about permission for the development of the land; whether inquiries were made by telephone or in writing; whether the answers were in writing or by telephone; to whom officers of his department spoke at the regional council; and what the answers were.
§ Mr. FairgrieveNo inquiries were made of the regional council by my Department.
§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Scotland, further to his answer to the hon. Member for Aberdeen, South on 29 January regarding the sale of Robroyston hospital, what inquiries were made by officers of his Department with the Registrar of Companies to check the bona fides of the purchasing company; what these inquiries revealed; whether the purchasing company was at that time registered with complete documentation; what further inquiries his Department made about the bona fides of the purchasing company; whether his Department was satisfied with what its search at the registration of companies revealed; whether there was any departure from established procedure; and whether he is now satisfied that established procedures are satisfactory.
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§ Mr. YoungerThe only offer made was received on 15 September 1977. An inquiry made of the Registrar of Companies by a departmental official between 16 and 20 September did not reveal the fact now known that the company had been registered on 13 September; but the offer on behalf of the company had been made by a reputable firm of solicitors and after legal advice had been taken on the matter the offer was accepted. There was no departure from the established procedures, which I have under review.
§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Scotland, further to his answer to the hon. Member for Aberdeen, South on 29 January regarding the sale of Robroyston hospital, which individuals were contacted by his Department at the district council regarding the likelihood of permission for development of the land; whether those individuals were contacted by telephone or in writing; and whether the answers were in writing or by telephone.
§ Mr. YoungerIn accordance with normal procedure, informal advice was sought from representatives of Glasgow
TENURE BY LENGTH OF RESIDENCE OF HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD IN SCOTLAND (1977 AND 1978): PERCENTAGE OF EACH TENURE GROUP Length of residence of head of household (years) Tenure Less than 1 1– 2– 3– 4– 5– 6–10 11–20 21–30 Over 30 Sample size Owned outright … 3 2 4 4 3 3 21 27 15 18 (100%) 713 Buying loan/mortgage 12 15 14 9 8 7 21 13 1 0 (100%) 683 With job/business … 17 6 4 9 6 7 21 20 5 5 (100%) 158 Public sector housing 6 6 7 5 6 5 22 24 12 7 (100%)2,832 Other rented … 14 6 6 3 2 5 11 13 11 29 (100%) 326 All tenures … … 7 7 7 6 6 5 21 22 10 9 (100%)4,712 Source: General Household Survey 1977 and 1978.