§ Mr. HindTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the future of Croxteth hall and country park, Merseyside.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyIn my answer to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Crosby (Mr. Thornton) on 22 December, at column437, I said that we would be consulting the district councils and other interested parties on the proposed transfer of Croxteth hall and country park to Liverpool city council with a ringfenced endowment of £3 million. The consultation period ended on 27 January 1989 and I have considered the responses very carefully.
Although not all districts felt able to agree with our proposals, there was majority support for transfer of the estate. We remain of the opinion that transfer to Liverpool city council with an endowment is the only realistic available option that will provide for the long-term future of Croxteth. It is a valued facility with considerable countrywide support and should be maintained for all the people of Merseyside to use.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has therefore laid before Parliament an order giving effect to the transfer and endowment on 1 April 1989.