§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last discussed the matters relating to the demolition of the Gourock ropeworks, Port Glasgow with representatives of(a) Historic Scotland and (b) Inverclyde council; and if he will make a statement. [7929]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonHistoric Scotland is an executive agency within the Scottish Office and reports to my right hon. Friend on built heritage matters. My right hon. Friend has not been in direct discussion with Inverclyde council about the Gourock ropeworks.
An application for listed building consent to demolish the ropeworks was passed by Inverclyde district council to Historic Scotland in March of this year. Following careful consideration, my right hon. Friend decided not to call in the application for his own determination. Inverclyde council was informed on 30 August that it was thus free 329W to determine the application itself. I understand that listed building consent for demolition, subject to conditions, has now been issued by the council.