HC Deb 06 February 1962 vol 653 cc211-2
14. Mr. Thorpe

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the extent of the coastal area owned by the Crown Estate Commissioners which has been disposed of by them in the past five years; what was the total sum received; what is the method of valuation adopted; and what rights of first refusal are given to public authorities to purchase such property in their area.

Sir E. Boyle

During the five years to 31st October last, there were ninety-eight sales of foreshore or sea or river bed under the management of the Crown Estate Commissioners, involving a total area of 275 acres and a total consideration of £37,242. Valuations are made by the district valuer on the basis of instructions settled in consultation between the Crown Estate Commissioners and the Government. The practice of the Commissioners is only to sell foreshore or sea bed where it is to be occupied by permanent works, or where an adjustment of boundaries is required. The question of offering the sale of tidal areas to public authorities would arise only where works were to be carried out by them. Sixty-nine of the ninety-eight sales were to local authorities, Government Departments or other statutory bodies.

Mr. Thorpe

Does not the Financial Secretary agree that if foreshore owned by the Crown is to be sold it is preferable that it should be sold for public enjoyment and should be in public ownership rather than that it should be sold to private interests?

Mr. Nabarro

Nationalisation.

Mr. Thorpe

Yes, nationalisation. Would not the hon. Gentleman agree that it is anachronistic in 1962 to have privately-owned foreshore from which members of the public are excluded?

Sir E. Boyle

I would rather not get involved in controversy on doctrines, but I can assure the hon. Gentleman that the Commissioners are anxious that local authorities should exercise local supervision and control of the foreshore where appropriate. It is the policy of the Commissioners to encourage local authorities to take regulating leases of foreshore adjacent to their areas.

Mr. Mitchison

Is it not advisable that some public authority, be it the Crown Estate Commissioners or anyone else, should accept and discharge responsibility for keeping the foreshore clean? It gets into a sickening mess from oil, insects and the like and no one deals with it.

Sir E. Boyle

The Treasury has a very wide range of responsibilities, but keeping the foreshore clean hardly comes within its purview.