New Towns (Hansard, 5 March 1993)

§ Mr. Stewart

[holding answer 1 March 1993]: Orders to wind-up East Kilbride and Glenrothes development corporations were made on 24 February 1992 with wind-up to be completed by 31 December 1995. These development corporations are due to make their first interim reports to the Secretary of State on progress towards wind-up by 30 June of this year. The dates planned for completion of the wind-up of Cumbernauld, Livingston and Irvine development corporations are 31 December in 1996, 1998 and 1999 respectively. Consultation about winding-up Cumbernauld development corporation will take place later this year with a view to an order being made in December.

On 12 and 13 February 1992 my right hon. and learned Friend informed the new town development corporations of his decisions about successor arrangements for economic development and the disposal of the corporation's assets, including housing. Subsequently the Scottish Office industry department provided development corporations with detailed guidance on implementation of these decisions. Further guidance covering the financial arrangements relating to the disposal of housing, the transfer of planning and the disposal of environmental, civic and community assets is being prepared in light of comments from the new town development corporations and other interested parties, including Scottish Homes and 368W local authorities. All of the guidance emphasises the importance of early and detailed consultation between the development corporations and Scottish Enterprise, local enterprise companies, Scottish Homes and local authorities. These discussions have begun and are at different stages in each town reflecting the different wind-up timetables.

Some progress in the disposal of assets and liabilities has been made in all of the new towns and officials from the Scottish Office industry department are in regular contact to monitor progress.