HC Deb 05 July 1999 vol 334 cc373-4W
Jackie Ballard

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many houses the Environment Agency owned in each parliamentary constituency in the South West in each of the last five years. [89154]

Mr. Meale

Since 1994 the Environment Agency has owned houses in the following constituencies in the South West region:

  • Cotswold: 2 houses
  • New Forest: 1 house
  • North Dorset: 1 house
  • Salisbury: 2 houses (one sold in 1996)
  • West Dorset: 2 houses
  • Somerton and Frome: 2 houses (one also sold in 1994)
  • Taunton: 3 houses (one being sold by auction in July 1999)
  • Tewkesbury: 2 houses
  • Torridge and West Devon: 2 houses (one sold in 1996 and the other sold by auction on 30 June 1999)
  • Truro: 1 house bought in 1998 and demolished for a flood defence scheme.

Jackie Ballard

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has for the disposal of Environment Agency properties; and what matters he will take into consideration in respect of such disposals in rural and environmentally sensitive areas. [89155]

Mr. Meale

Disposal of property is an operational matter for the Agency to determine in accordance with the Financial Memorandum issued to it by the Department.