§ Mr. WeirTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will propose legislation to prohibit the Crown Estate from charging local authorities for wayleaves for public projects. [164774]
§ Ruth Kelly[holding answer 30 March 2004]The Crown Estate has a statutory duty to obtain an appropriate return from its assets under section 1 (3) of The Crown Estate Act 1961. The Crown Estate is no different from any other landowner in the way it seeks payment for wayleaves or the way in which they are valued.
§ Mr. WeirTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer under what powers the Crown Estate is entitled to charge a wayleave for a new bridge over the River South
Amount (£) Authority Works Date 2003–04 0 — — — 2002–03 0 — — — 2001–02 0 — — — 2000–01 0 — — — 1999–2000 500 Western Isles Council Wayleave for bridge span, Sound of Scalpay 11 August 1999 550 Shetland Islands Council Wayleave for bridge span, Muckle Roe 9 April 1999 1998–99 0 — — — 1997–98 0 — — — 1996–97 0 — — — 1995–96 0 — — — 1994–95 0 — — — 1993–94 100 Western Isles Council Wayleave for bridge span, River Miavaig 21 June 1993
§ Mr. WeirTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what process is used to determine the value of a wayleave charged by the Crown Estate to local authorities in respect of public works projects. [164779]
§ Ruth Kelly[holding answer 30 March 2004]The value of a wayleave is determined on a case-by-case basis through negotiation in accordance with professional valuation practice, with the respective local authority or its representative.
As is laid down in the The Crown Estate Act 1961, no account is taken of monopoly value when valuing any Crown Estate asset.
386WEsk at Montrose when a wayleave exists for the current bridge. [164776]
§ Ruth Kelly[holding answer 30 March 2004]No new charge is being made for a wayleave over the River South Esk at Montrose. The wayleave for the existing bridge covers both the temporary and the new bridges.
The charges that are being made are for the lease for land for the temporary bridge, and the sale of land for the new bridge.
§ Mr. WeirTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer under what powers the Crown Estate is able to charge substantial sums of money from Angus council for the construction of a temporary bridge over the River South Esk at Montrose while a new bridge is being built. [164777]
§ Ruth Kelly[holding answer 30 March 2004]The Crown Estate Act 1961, s.1(3) places a statutory duty on The Crown Estate Commissioners to maintain and enhance the value of The Crown Estate and the return obtained from it, but with due regard to the requirements of good management.
A rental charge is being made for the lease of land for the temporary bridge because it is on Crown Estate foreshore and seabed (tidal riverbed is defined as seabed). The rental value was agreed between agents acting on behalf of The Crown Estate and on behalf of Angus council.
§ Mr. WeirTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much the Crown Estate has received from local authorities in Scotland in each of the last 10 years as wayleaves for bridges and other public works projects. [164778]
§ Ruth Kelly[holding answer 30 March 2004]The information is as follows: