§ Mr. George Robertsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if any restrictions were made by his Department on offers likely to be made for the buildings and site of Hamilton college of education;
(2) if offers for the college of education buildings and site at Hamilton which were based on office development or housing following demolition were ruled out by his Department.
§ Mr. George Robertsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received about the sale of the former Hamilton college of eduction; whom they were from; and whether any were in favour.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherSince the property was sold, representations, all deprecating the sale, have been received from the Motherwell college branch of the Educational Institute of Scotland, the Parent Teachers' Association of Holy Cross high school, Hamilton and the hon. Member.
§ Mr. George Robertsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the present estimate of cost for securing the student hostels at Hamilton college of education from 9 November to the date at which the new owners take possession.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherThe likeliest expectation at present is that Miller Homes (Northern) Ltd. will take possession within six months, and at most 12 months. On the former assumption, that Miller Homes (Northern) Ltd. takes possession in May 1983, the total cost of maintaining the hostel accommodation in the interim is estimated at £90,000, of which about £15,000 would relate to security costs.
§ Mr. George Robertsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many sales advertisements for the sale of the Hamilton college of education site were placed; how often they appeared; over what space of time they appeared; in which newspaper; how many brochures were printed and how many distributed; and what was the total cost of marketing the whole site.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherAdvertisements appeared in the following newspapers or journals in the weeks beginning 14 December 1981 and 11 January 1982:
- The Times (14 December and 11 January)
- The Scotsman (15 December and 12 January)
- Glasgow Herald (16 December and 13 January)
- The Times Educational Supplement (18 December and 15 January)
Seventy brochures were printed, of which 49 were issued to inquirers. The total cost of marketing up to conclusion of missives was £12,140.
§ Mr. George Robertsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the sale of the student hostels at Hamilton college of education will be completed; and when Miller Homes (Northern) Ltd. will take possession.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherThe sale of the residential accommodation to Miller Homes (Northern) Ltd. is conditional on its obtaining planning permission and building control consents for conversion of the hostel accommodation to housing. The agreement which has been reached requires it to seek these consents with minimum delay; the present expectation is that the sale should be finally concluded, and Miller take entry, within six months and, at the most, within 12 months.
§ Mr. George Robertsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what notice was given to Holy Cross high school, Hamilton, that customary access to Strathclyde park through the grounds of Hamilton college of education would be withdrawn.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherNotice, confirming previous discussions, was given in a letter dated 31 October 1982 from Jordanhill college to the rector of the school.
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§ Mr. George Robertsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment was made by his Department to ascertain the number and type of local organisations using the college of education buildings in Hamilton prior to sale.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherNone. Such use would not have justified the high cost of retaining the premises.
§ Mr. George Robertsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he informed Strathclyde regional council of the prices being offered in other bids for the Hamilton college of education buildings and site following the closing of offers in June 1982; when such information was relayed; and what was the response.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherNo. It would not have been proper to do so.