To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the chairman of the Cardiff Bay Development Corporation concerning the implications for powers to use compulsory purchase relating to the contract awarded to the Terraquest company by the corporation and the authority given to the company to negotiate way-leaves with householders over the proposed new horizontal dewatering scheme in six areas of Cardiff. [7797]

None. Terraquest have been contracted to determine land ownership and interests in land under the surface of public highways or open space which might be affected by plans for a dewatering scheme in Cardiff. Use of compulsory purchase order powers may not be necessary. This is an operational matter for the Corporation and I have asked the Chief Executive to respond more fully and a copy of his letter will be placed in the Library of the House.