§ Mr. Meacherasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if the former St. George's hospital, Hyde Park Corner, was put on the open market before sale to Grosvenor Estate and L.I.B; and how many offers were considered before sale.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWhen the hospital closed in 1980 the Grosvenor Estate exercised its right of preemption to acquire the southern part of the site. There is no right of pre-emption on the northern part of the site but when we came to consider its disposal it seemed sensible, because the listed Wilkins building straddles both parts of the site, to negotiate a sale with the Grosvenor Estate. The site has therefore never been put on the open market.