§ Mr. Rhodri MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the terms of the ownership of the site acquired for the new debating chamber for the Welsh Assembly, announced on 28 April. [41065]
§ Mr. Ron DaviesThe site will be owned by the National Assembly for Wales, on a 150 year lease at peppercorn rent.
§ Mr. Rhodri MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what costings he has made for the adaptation of Crickhowell House for the temporary home of the Welsh Assembly. [41067]
§ Mr. Ron DaviesI refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Ribble Valley (Mr. Evans) on 5 May 1998,Official Report, column 299.
§ Mr. Rhodri MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what conditions are attached to the acquisition of the site for the debating chamber of the Welsh Assembly from Grosvenor Waterside. [41066]
§ Mr. Ron DaviesAs part of the agreement, I am proposing to take separate 25 year leases on the 3 blocks of Crickhowell House, to replace the existing two 20 year leases, in order to give the National Assembly greater flexibility and security. A 5 year rent review was due in September, but I have negotiated for the rent to be fixed at the current level for the next 5 years. I will also be looking to increase future flexibility over the car parking arrangements.
There will be a range of other routine conditions which will apply to the site for the new building, which it would not be appropriate to disclose at present while the legal agreement is being prepared, but which are typical of commercial property transactions. These relate to such matters as controls on the use, disposal, development and maintenance of the land and buildings.