§ Mr. GardinerTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) if he will ensure that the new English National Stadium will be held in trust for the nation in perpetuity by the English National Stadium Trust; [61435]
(2) if the FA and the English National Stadium Developments Company will continue to be bound by the contractual terms of the grant from the English Sports Council following repayments of that grant; [61433]
(3) when the development proposal for the new National Stadium will be submitted to the appropriate planning authority; [61432]
(4) what redress will be available to the English National Stadium Trust in the event that the FA and the English National Stadium Development Company break the terms of the grant from the English Sports Council; [61434]
(5) if he will make a statement on his policy regarding attempts to sell a share of the freehold interests in the new English National Stadium; [61436]
(6) when he expects the sale of the Wembley Stadium site to the English National Stadium Trust's Development Company to be concluded; [61431]
235W(7) what plans he has to grant a long lease of the new National Stadium to the English National Stadium Trust. [61437]
§ Mr. BanksThe planning application for the National Stadium is a matter for the English National Stadium Development Company (ENSDC) in consultation with the London Borough of Brent, as planning authority. The present anticipated timetable for submitting a planning application is Spring/Summer 1999, although ENSDC are known to be reviewing the position. The English Sports Council (ESC) included milestone dates on planning issues as conditions of the Lottery award to ensure the project moves ahead on a reasonable timetable.
In the event of a breach of the conditions of the Lottery award, the ESC has the right to seek repayment. It is a condition of the Lottery award that the freehold interest cannot be sold. The site acquisition is still under discussion between the applicants and Wembley Plc. The site purchase arrangements are subject to strict Stock Exchange rules on disclosure. Following the acquisition, it is intended that the English National Stadium Trust will hold a 999 year lease for the stadium site. The principal lottery award conditions will apply for 50 years, even if the award is repaid, to ensure that the stadium meets its objectives throughout this period.
As these are detailed matters relating to a Lottery award. I have also written to my hon. Friend proposing he receives a briefing from the ESC on the National Stadium project.