§ Mr. ViggersTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what change there have been in the guidance given by HM Treasury to Government Departments and non-departmental public bodies on the disposal of land and buildings and other land transactions since "DAO (GEN) 13/92", dated 23 July 1992; and if he will make a statement. [10296]
§ Mr. Jack"DAO (GEN) 13/92" has been replaced by new guidance issued as "DAO (GEN) 11/96", dated 9 July 1996. The main changes and additions are the adoption of a less prescriptive approach, fuller guidance on the position of former owners and the Crichel Down rules, guidance on the definition of market value and the removal of the requirement for prior Treasury approval for certain types of disposal. Most of the new guidance is advisory rather than mandatory; market value is defined as the best price which can reasonably by obtained; and it is recognised that there may occasionally be cases where it will be reasonable to consider wider issues and accept a lower amount than the market value. A copy of the guidance has been placed in the Library of the House of Commons.