§ Dr. KumarTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what payments have been(a) made and (b) agreed as part of a management licence to British Waterways for operating the Tees Barrage. [121480]
§ Ms ArmstrongUnder the terms of a Management Agreement signed on 31 March 2000 between British Waterways and the Commission for the New Towns, BW assumed operational responsibility for managing the Tees Barrage, maintaining related facilities and the obligations attached thereto, as if it were the owner. An endowment of £17,696,616 was paid to BW. It is intended that the freehold of the property will be conveyed to BW shortly, together with a formal transfer of the powers and functions in the River Tees Barrage and Crossing Act 1990. It is not expected that any further endowment will be paid.