§ Mr. JackTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many board members currently serve on 577W the New Covent Garden Market Authority Board; and what is the maximum number of board members permitted. [34979]
Dr. John CunninghamUnder the provisions of Section 1(2) of the Covent Garden Market Act 1961, as amended, the Authority must comprise a Chairman and between four and seven members. There are currently a chairman and four members.
§ Mr. JackTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the costs of compensating tenants if New Covent Garden Market were sold. [34982]
Dr. John CunninghamAny compensation would be in accordance with the Landlord and Tenants Act 1954.
§ Mr. JackTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for what reasons the recent appointment of a Chairman of the New Covent Garden Market Authority was not conducted under the Nolan rules process. [34980]
Dr. John CunninghamThe recent appointment of a Chairman was conducted under the Nolan rules process, and the procedure was endorsed by the Ministry's "Nolan" panel.
§ Mr. JackTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which bodies and individuals his Ministry would be obliged to consult in any disposal of his interest in New Covent Garden Market. [34988]
Dr. John CunninghamAny consultation would be full and open and include all those with an interest in the Market.
§ Mr. JackTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in what ways his Ministry could dispose of its interests in New Covent Garden Market; which options he has evaluated; and if he will make a statement. [34987]
§ Mr. JackTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food under what circumstances he will allow leases lasting beyond 2005 to be given to existing tenants of New Covent Garden Market. [34985]
§ Mr. JackTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what is his Ministry's current policy on the disposal of the New Covent Garden Market; [34989]
(2) how long his Department proposes to retain ownership of New Covent Garden Market. [34986]
Dr. John CunninghamWe are maintaining the policy, announced by the previous Government in 1990, of disposal of the assets of Covent Garden Market Authority, when Parliamentary time permits.
§ Mr. JackTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food under what circumstances the current management of the New Covent Garden Market will be allowed under the present ownership arrangements to have more capital expenditure flexibility in order to attract new tenants. [34981]
578W
Dr. John CunninghamThe Covent Garden Market Authority is expected to ensure a net benefit from such expenditure within the life and terms of any new lease granted. The Authority already has flexibility concerning other decisions on capital expenditure but legislation constrains the nature of the businesses which new tenants may undertake.