HC Deb 14 November 1988 vol 140 cc502-3W
Mr. Parry

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list in theOfficial Report the grants made to development corporations at the latest date.

Mr. Trippier

The Supply Estimates for 1988–89 (Cm. 339) set out the allocation of grants to urban development corporations. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State proposes to make some adjustments to those figures; the proposed amendments will be set out in the Winter Supplementaries which will( be laid before the House shortly.

Mr. Parry

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he has taken to monitor the working of development corporations; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Trippier

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State continuously monitors the working of urban development corporations. Each UDC brings forward annual plans which are reviewed by and discussed with Ministers; the implementation of the UDC's programme is monitored during the year; and each UDC is required by statute to make an annual report to the Secretary of State, incorporating its audited accounts. The Secretary of State is required to lay the annual report before the House.

Mr. Parry

To ask the Secretary of Slate for the Environment how much public money has been spent on the Merseyside development corporation to the latest date.

Mr. Trippier

To date Merseyside development corporation has invested £180 million of public sector funding in its area.

Mr. Alton

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representation Liverpool city council had on the board of the Merseyside development corporation; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Trippier

Liverpool city council has had no member on the board since 1983 when the new Labour Council decided not to nominate a successor to Sir Trevor Jones. In January this year the council was invited to nominate a member but it has not done so.

Mr. Alton

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the sale of 30 acres of development corporation land by the Merseyside development corporation for housing purposes, detailing the type of housing, its anticipated cost, the mix of housing and its proposed control.

Mr. Trippier

I am not sure which particular land the hon. Member is referring to. However, there is a planning permission for residential development of 27 acres of land at Dingle lane in Merseyside development corporation's riverside development area. The information I can give is limited because MDC is negotiating the sale of the land with a housebuilder and details have not been finalised. I understand that the present plans are for about 180 houses for sale ranging from terraced to detached, at a broad range of prices. The form of development will be controlled by the development corporation as planning authority and through the covenants contained in the building licence/sale documents.