Examination of Witnesses (Questions 6660
- 6679)
6660. MR HICKS: The EMI point is not
that the circumstances are the same but that the remedy is the
same. There is no reason why they cannot give an undertaking in
similar terms to EMI to deal with this point.
The Petition of The Petition of City of
London Corporation
6661. LORD BROOKE OF ALVERTHORPE: Mr
Hicks, have you explored the possibility of an additional clause
to the effect that, in the expectation that the Promoters will
purchase but in the event that they did not, they would recompense
you for the interest charges?
6662. MR HICKS: That would be a possibility,
my Lord. I was hoping that if it was thought that there was value
in this point the simplest way to do it was by a simple undertaking
because it is clear and simple. Of course one could explore additional
provisions. I had hoped that it would not be necessary to do so.
If your Committee thought there was some point in our petition
I am sure we could explore that with the Promoters.
6663. CHAIRMAN: We cannot explore it
with the Promoters, can we?
6664. MR HICKS: No, but, my Lord, you
could do as the Committee in the House below did, urge them to
do something about it.
6665. CHAIRMAN: Yes, we could urge them
to enter into an undertaking in the terms that they have put before
us on the screen. You do not think that is good enough; we might.
6666. MR HICKS: You might, my Lord. The
issue is whether you urge them to do a little bit more.
6667. CHAIRMAN: Yes.
6668. MR MOULD: Mr Hicks obviously has
the last word. I suspect he has just had it. I am not proposing
to say anything else.
6669. CHAIRMAN: I think that is as far
as we can take it. We will have to decide whether to urge them
to do a little bit more. Mr Mould, just before Mr Hicks goes,
would it be in order for us to suggest that you turn this commitment
into an undertaking?
6670. MR MOULD: It would be in order
and I hope I have indicated that that is what we are very happy
to do, but it is this commitment, not another commitment.
6671. CHAIRMAN: It is not good enough
for Mr Hicks but that is something which you would be prepared
to do?
6672. MR MOULD: Yes.
6673. BARONESS FOOKES: Half a loaf may
be better than none.
6674. CHAIRMAN: Very well. Thank you
very much, Mr Hicks. Now, Ms Lieven?
6675. MS LIEVEN: My Lords, I am only
standing up to say first of all we have agreed on all counts with
the City Corporation, so no more needs to be said on that.
6676. CHAIRMAN: That is the Barbican?
6677. MS LIEVEN: That is the Barbican
and the Isle of Dogs. Everything is agreed. It is all going to
be set out in an agreement between us and them, so I do not think
there is any need to say any more about it. The only other thing
to deal with this morning is to give your Lordships a quick word
about next week's business.
6678. CHAIRMAN: Just before you do that,
plainly one of the things that you have dealt with in relation
to the Barbican is noise levels in the theatre.
6679. MS LIEVEN: Indeed, my Lord.
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