HC Deb 16 July 1990 vol 176 cc438-40W
Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to the answer of 9 July from the Secretary of State for Wales, what terms and conditions he has discussed, with Astra Training Services for building a new industrial training centre at Western avenue, Cardiff.

Mr. Eggar

[holding answer 12 July 1990]: No discussions have been held with Astra Training Services Ltd. on this subject. My Department is selling the freehold of the site, most of which is held by Astra on a three-year lease.

Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to his answer of 9 July, if he has instructed King and Co. to convey any interest, leasehold or freehold, in any land at Western avenue to Astra Training Services for an industrial training centre.

Mr. Eggar

[holding answer 12 July 1990]: The leasehold interest in the site at Western avenue, Cardiff, was conveyed to Astra Training Services Ltd. on completion of the sale of the training business. Should Astra wish to acquire the freehold interest it would be in the same position as any other purchaser and would need to discuss any interest with the Department's agent, King and Company.

Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to his answer of 9 July, what instructions have been given to King and Co. to dispose of his Department's leasehold interest in the skill centre buildings and associated land at Western avenue, Cardiff.

Mr. Eggar

[holding answer 12 July 1990]: The leasehold interest in the site at Western avenue, Cardiff, was conveyed to Astra Training Services Ltd. on completion of the sale of the training business.

Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to the reply from the Secretary of State for Wales of 9 July, what future plans he has for development of the Department's land and buildings at Western avenue, Cardiff after 1993.

Mr. Eggar

[holding answer 12 July 1990]: The land and buildings at Western avenue, Cardiff, are in the process of being marketed by King and Company. It will be for the purchaser to decide any future plans for development.

Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what consultations he has undertaken with(a) Cardiff chamber of commerce and industry, (b) Confederation of British Industry, Wales region, (c) Engineering Employers Federation, south Wales region, (d) the Welsh Development Agency and (e) South Glamorgan training and enterprise council regarding the future use of land and buildings currently used for industrial training purposes at Western avenue, Cardiff.

Mr. Eggar

[holding answer 12 July 1990]: My Department has had no consultation with the organisations listed. Negotiations about the sale of the freehold of land and buildings owned by my Department are being conducted on my behalf by King and Company.

Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what negotiations he is pursuing with Astra Training Services regarding its requirement for an industrial training centre at Western avenue, Cardiff (a) before 1993 and (b) after 1993.

Mr. Eggar

[holding answer 12 July 1990]: No negotiations are being pursued with Astra Training Services Ltd. Astra has a three-year lease on most of the freehold site now being marketed by King and Company. It will be for Astra to decide its future requirements in the locality.

Astra's plans for the future of the business it sought to purchase were discussed with my advisers before terms of sale were agreed.

Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to the reply from the Secretary of State for Wales of 9 July, whether he has discussed plans for long-term investment in an industrial training centre at Western avenue, Cardiff, with Astra Training Services.

Mr. Eggar

[holding answer 12 July 1990]: In the course of negotiations for the sale of the Skills Training Agency, my advisers discussed with all potential purchasers their plans for the future of the business they were seeking to buy and these plans were taken into account in reaching a decision on bids.

Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to his answer of 9 July, what consultations he had with the manager of the skill centre at Western avenue, Cardiff, before instructing King and Company regarding the sale of his Department's interest in the site.

Mr. Eggar

[holding answer 12 July 1990]: I understand that King and Company, which is marketing my Department's freehold interest in the site, has liaised with the leaseholder, Astra Training Services Ltd., about viewing arrangements and the siting of sale boards etc.

Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what are the terms and conditions he has agreed with Astra Training Services for the disposal of his interest in the land and buildings currently sub-let to the employee rehabilitation centre at Western avenue, Cardiff.

Mr. Eggar

[holding answer 13 July 1990]: Most of the area occupied by the employment rehabilitation centre (ERC) at Western avenue, Cardiff is outside that part of the site leased to Astra Training Services Ltd. The small part of the ERC that falls within Astra's leased area is covered by a three-year sub-lease between Astra and the Government. Should the ERC vacate within that period, Astra would be free to occupy that area itself or grant a new sub-lease to a third party. This would be until Astra itself vacates the site under the terms of its own three-year lease.