HC Deb 14 June 1995 vol 261 cc541-2W
Mr. Fatchett

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list, for 1992–93, 1993–94 and 1994–95, the occasions on which his Department has sought prior approval for the sale of assets in accordance with the Treasury guidelines on the disposal of surplus Government land; and if he will make a statement. [28392]

Sir Paul Beresford

Under the rules governing the disposal of land and buildings, Treasury approval is required where

  1. (a) A Department wishes to dispose of property for less than the best price which can be obtained in the market.
  2. (b) Because there are or are likely to be unusual delays in resolving uncertainties about the planning position a Department proposes to dispose of property considered to have development potential before planning consent has been obtained.
  3. (c) A Department wishes to dispose of a property to a selected purchaser by private treaty in circumstances where the professional advice is that this method of sale might not have an advantage over the sale by tender or auction.
  4. (d) Where the disposal falls outside the limits delegated by the Treasury.
  5. None of the disposals effected by my Department over the period 1992 to 1995 fell into these categories. There 542 were, however, five cases where, although formal planning decisions had been obtained or the planning position thoroughly researched, it was considered that the purchaser might be able to resell at some future date for a higher figure; hence, to be absolutely sure that the Exchequer interest was protected, clawback clauses were imposed.