HL Deb 23 July 1997 vol 581 cc163-4WA
Lord Berkeley

asked Her Majesty's Government

What was the purchase price of the Greenwich Millennium site by English Partnerships from British Gas; and

Whether they will list any current rights or obligations of British Gas in respect of the Greenwich Millennium site both now and after the Millennium.

Baroness Hayman

English Partnerships acquired British Gas's interest in the Greenwich Peninsula for £20 million. An average payment equating to 7.5 per cent. of the gross proceeds of any land sales is also payable to British Gas. In respect of the southern third of the site, the minimum payment due is £4.3 million.

British Gas's principal rights and obligations under the conveyance of the land are:

  1. (i) To comply with the Polluter Pays Principle in full by ensuring that the statutory remediation of the land at the Greenwich Peninsula is undertaken to the satisfaction of the Environment Agency and the London Borough of Greenwich;
  2. (ii) To comply with the agreement with London Underground by meeting the cost of the new North Greenwich Station.

Lord Berkeley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How much has been spent at the Greenwich Millennium site on dealing with contaminated land, and what were the sources of funds for this work.

Baroness Hayman

As at 30 June 1997, English Partnerships' expenditure on reclamation and servicing totalled £8.6 million met from public funds.