§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if the two surplus laboratories at Harpenden and Tony referred to on page 21 of the 2001 departmental report, have been sold. [48171]
§ Mr. MorleyThe laboratory at Tony was sold in April 2001. DEFRA has a leasehold interest in the laboratory at Harpenden. A joint conditional sale of the property by DEFRA and the freeholder floundered in January 2002 after planning consent was refused to the prospective purchaser. Negotiations are continuing with the planning authorities to facilitate a successful future sale.