HC Deb 04 May 1988 vol 132 cc505-6W
Mr. Leighton

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much the London Docklands development corporation spent last year on consultants; what percentage that sum was of total expenditure; how many consultancies were awarded; and how many of those involved competition.

Mr. Trippier

In 1987–88 LDDC made 225 consultancy appointments to 145 consultants at a value of £6.2 million plus associated costs. Total payments amounting to £12.1 million were made to 199 consultants in respect of appointments let in 1987–88 and previous years, which was about 10 per cent. of LDDC's expenditure. The LDDC is satisfied that the requirements for competition were met. The external audit for 1987–88 will provide an idependent scrutiny.

Mr. Leighton

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what the London Docklands development corporation is doing to finance the building of new schools in docklands.

Mr. Trippier

The statutory responsibility for providing new schools rests with the local education authorities. The LDDC is continuing to consider with those authorities and other interested bodies what assistance it can provide to raise educational standards in docklands.

Ms. Gordon

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the policy of the London Docklands development corporation for the disposal of its assets and responsibilities when it is wound up; and what directions he has given on these matters.

Mr. Trippier

The corporation will be guided by the Secretary of State in these matters. No directions have been given.

Ms. Gordon

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what arrangements have been adopted by the London Docklands development corporation to ensure that there is no conflict of interest between the corporation and developers where members of the corporation's staff leave, or are intending to leave, to take up a post in the private sector with development companies.

Mr. Trippier

The corporation's code of conduct for its staff sets out requirements for the declaration of interests.

Ms. Gordon

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what arrangements have been made by the London Docklands development corporation to safeguard the use of(a) the Millwall outer dock and (b) the Royal Victoria dock for water sports; what arrangements exist to assess possible conflict between developments and water sport uses; what is the development corporation's policy on current development proposals at these docks which adversely affect water sports users; how much the development corporation has invested in water sports facilities at these two locations; and what has been invested by (i) other public bodies and (ii) private companies.

Mr. Trippier

I will write to the hon. Member.

Ms Gordon

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what arrangements have been made for the disposal of land on the south side of the King George V docks by the London Docklands development corporation; at what price it has been sold or leased; and what restrictions have been placed on its future use.

Mr. Trippier

Some 22 acres of LDDC land in the area have been leased to London City airport. Part has been disposed of for mixed development and part for airport related uses, subject to planning permission and LDDC's detailed approval as landlord. The price paid for individual sites is commercially confidential information.

Ms. Gordon

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what area of water currently in the enclosed docks will be required for the Canary wharf scheme: what arrangements have been made for its disposal or leasing to the developers of Canary wharf by the London Docklands development corporation; and what price has been fixed.

Mr. Trippier

A small part of the West India dock water has been sold to the developers. The price is contained within the agreement outlined in my answer of 23 July 1987, at column377.