HC Deb 11 February 1999 vol 325 cc326-7W
Mr. Steen

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what was the cost to public funds at the time of the compulsory purchase of land from the Squire family in order to build the Regional Headquarters for the South-west near Malborough, South Devon; and what was the cost of constructing and equipping the Headquarters for use; [69862]

(2) when he expects to reply to the letter of 31 December 1998 from the hon. Member for Totnes about the future of the Regional Government Headquarters for the South-west near Malborough, South Devon; [69863]

(3) what steps he is taking to ensure that the land on which the former Regional Government Headquarters for the South-west, Soan Mill, near Malborough, South Devon stood, is returned to the Squire family from whom it was compulsory purchased; [69864]

(4) what plans he has for the future use of the site of the former proposed Regional Government Headquarters for the South-west at Soan Mill Cove, Malborough, Kingsbridge, South Devon; and will he make a statement; [69866]

(5) what plans he has to demolish the former proposed Regional Government Headquarters at Soan Mill near Malborough, South Devon. [69867]

Mr. George Howarth

The site forms part of land that was acquired by the War Office under compulsory requisition provisions that prevailed during the last war. It was transferred to the Home Office in the 1960s. We are pursuing with the Ministry of Defence and our commercial agents in order to establish the cost of acquiring and adapting the site for use as a Regional Government Headquarters. I will cover these points when I reply to the hon. Gentleman's letter of 31 December, which I will do as soon as our inquiries are complete.

We have asked our agents to bring to an early conclusion the discussions regarding the extent of the land which can be offered back to the Squire family. We wish to be flexible as we can within the constraints on the former owner rules, which govern the sale of land acquired by compulsory purchase.

We have no plans to demolish any buildings on the site prior to disposal.