§ 5. Sir F. Medlicottasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is aware of the traffic congestion caused in the Strand, Kingsway, Charing Cross Road area by the existence of the Covent Garden Market; and whether he will use his town-planning powers to cause the present site to be vacated, and a new market to be opened at King's Cross or elsewhere.
§ Mr. SandysI am well aware of the traffic congestion in the vicinity of Covent Garden Market. This and other wholesale markets perform important functions in the national economy, which are now being reviewed by the Runciman Committee on Horticultural Marketing. We must obviously wait for the Committee's Report before deciding what action, if any, should be taken.
§ Sir F. MedlicottIs the Minister aware that this is a special area in which the conditions in regard to planning, marketing and traffic are almost chaotic? Would he consider calling a conference of the parties especially interested both to examine the difficulties and to look at the great opportunities which this area holds?
§ Mr. SandysI think that we can all agree about the difficulties, but there are a great many differing views about how to get over them.