HC Deb 27 July 1959 vol 610 cc22-3
44. Mr. E. Fletcher

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what arrangements he is making for the immediate acquisition, prior to the establishment of the proposed statutory Covent Garden Market authority, of the City Road site intended to be used as the permanent annexe to Covent Garden Market for storing empty containers and produce in bulk.

Mr. John Hare

I am considering various possibilities. As I said in reply to the hon. Member on 20th July, I propose in due course to introduce legislation under which the freehold interest in the site of the annexe will be vested in the new Market Authority. In the meantime, discussions are taking place with the owner of the site who has suggested possible arrangements whereby an early start might be made on its development for the purposes I have in view. Another possibility is that either the London County Council or the Corporation of the City of London might be willing to acquire the site by exercising powers which they are seeking in two Bills now before Parliament.

Mr. Fletcher

I am much obliged to the right hon. Gentleman. Will he confirm that it is his wish, as it is the wish of the London County Council and, I think, of the traders in Covent Garden Market, that there will be no delay in acquiring this site in some form or other and that we shall not have to await the establishment of the new market authority before effective arrangements are made for the use of the site as an annexe?

Mr. Hare

The hon. Gentleman is quite correct; that is my wish.

Mrs. Jeger

Can the Minister tell the House what transport arrangements he proposes to make between Covent Garden itself and the annexe? The traffic difficulties in this part of central London inevitably will be increased by this development.

Mr. Hare

No. I think that the reverse is the case. Once we can get this depot going, I hope that the traffic problem will be very considerably eased. As the hon. Lady knows, the traffic problem in the Covent Garden area is very difficult. A solution to this problem has eluded us for some time.