§ Mr. DobsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what account he took when he issued exchange land certificates in November 1990 for land on and immediately adjoining one of the exchange land sites for the north circular road east of Falloden way, of a report commissioned in 1988 by Barnet council on the contamination of the land; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AtkinsThe 1988 report is unknown to both my Department and the Department of Transport. A small area of contamination was discovered in June 1993 during preparation of the land to be given in exchange for land required for the trunk road improvement between east of Falloden way and east of high road, Finchley. As a result, the whole site was systematically tested. The Department of Transport has sent the report of the test, including recommendations for the treatment of the land, to the London borough of Barnet and its response is awaited. The treatment of the exchange land for the adjacent improvement of the trunk road at Regents Park road is the subject of negotiations with the borough.