§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what was the district valuer's valuation of the housing stock of Irvine development corporation; [29195]
(2) what value was put on the properties of Irvine development corporation by the district valuer; when this valuation took place; and if this valuation was passed to all the bidders for the housing stock of Irvine development corporation. [28992]
§ Mr. Kynoch[holding answer 13 May 1996]: For the disposal of tenanted housing stock, the district valuer's valuation was £33.043 million, assuming the warden costs of sheltered housing were borne by the social work budget, or £32.269 million if these costs were met by rental income from the housing.
The valuation took place on 17 August 1995 and was subsequently passed to both bidders for the housing stock of Irvine development corporation.
§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the value of the bid lodged by Irvine housing association for the housing stock of Irvine development corporation; and for what reason it was allowed. [29194]
§ Mr. Kynoch[holding answer 13 May 1996]: The aggregate of the cash bids made by Irvine housing association was £22.777 million. My right hon. Friend concluded that the bids were value for money, particularly when broader factors were taken into account. These included VAT which is not recoverable by the housing association, the opportunity to give tenants a genuine choice in the ballot between a municipal and non-municipal landlord and the possibility of attracting private sector funding into tenanted housing in Irvine.
§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what procedure was used by his Department in scrutinising the bids lodged by prospective landlords for taking over the housing stock of Irvine development corporation; what guidance was issued to Cunninghame district council and North Ayrshire council, relating to the valuation which it has to put on the properties of Irvine development corporation; and in what respect this guidance differed from that given to Irvine housing association; [28993]
472W(2) against what criteria the Scottish Office assessed the bids lodged for the housing stock of Irvine development corporation. [29193]
§ Mr. Kynoch[holding answer 13 May 1996]: During 1992 and 1993 the Scottish Office issued comprehensive guidance about housing disposal to the development corporations, the district councils in their areas, hon. Members with constituencies in the areas of new towns and other interested parties. The guidance applied to all bidders and covered all aspects of the process including bidding, valuation and appraisal of bids.
§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much Irvine housing association has received in funding from(a) Irvine development corporation and (b) Scottish Homes. [29075]
§ Mr. Kynoch[holding answer 13 May 1996]: Scottish Homes has to date paid £15,050 to Irvine housing association. The development corporation has not provided funds to the association.