§ Mr. AshtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reasons his Department is withholding £330,000 in compensation and interest charges from Bassetlaw district council as the final payment for land for the A57 Worksop bypass; and when he expects the payment to be made.
§ Mr. Chope[holding answer 10 March 1992]: The Department is not withholding compensation and interest payments from Bassetlaw district council. Agreement was reached in March 1990 on the compensation due and in December 1990 a 90 per cent. advance payment was made to the council—this was the maximum allowed by the legislation in force at the time. Under the new provisions of the Planning and Compensation Act 1991 payment of accrued interest is also required to be made, and a payment in respect of that amount will reach the council shortly. The outstanding balance and any further interest due will be paid on completion of the land ownership transfer procedures, in the usual way.