§ Mr. Spearingasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is the number of firms in that portion of the royal docks owned by the London Docklands development corporation who have already been requested to relocate and whom the corporation 242W intends to relocate, respectively; and if the firms concerned or other statutory bodies have or will be informed of the purposes of any such request;
(2) what is the number of firms in the area of the royal docks who have been requested to relocate by the London Docklands development corporation or other statutory body since 1 January 1983; if the London borough of Newham was informed of any such requests and the reasons for them, respectively; how many firms so affected were relocated inside and outside the docks area, respectively; and if financial assistance was available.
§ Sir George YoungThirteen firms, all of which are tenants on land owned by LDDC in the royal docks, have been requested to consider relocation and it is intended to approach two more. There are nine other firms in operation in the Royal Victoria dock which it is not currently considered necessary to relocate. The purpose of relocation would be to make way for major infrastructure works needed to bring new roads and replacement services into the area in order to support any major regeneration scheme and attract new jobs. The firms concerned are informed that advice is available from LDDC's business development officers and the London borough of Newham's industrial liaison officer. Compensation is offered analogous to the disturbance payment provisions of the Land Compensation Act 1973 together, where appropriate, with other forms of assistance to businesses under the Inner Urban Area Act 1978.