§ Mr. Clifton-BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many properties have been acquired under the Department's discretionary purchase scheme since its introduction in January 1992; what was the total value; and how much money has been allocated out of the Department's budget to the scheme this year.
§ Mr. WattsThis is an operational matter for the Highways Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Geoffrey Clinton-Brown, dated 23 November 1994:
As you probably know, since the creation of the Highways Agency in April this year, it falls to me as Chief Executive to write to MPs who have tabled questions on matters which relate to operational matters of the Highways Agency and to give the information requested.In answer to your question about the discretionary purchase scheme operated by the Agency on behalf of the Secretary of State for Transport, the position is that approximately 540 properties have been acquired to date. Total purchase costs have amounted to a little over £60.0 million. Excluded from this total are legal surveyor fees, plus disturbance compensation, where payable, and also departmental handling costs. Separate provision is not made in the Department's budget for this scheme but it is covered by the overall Lands budget for 1994–95, totalling £236. million.