HC Deb 16 December 1963 vol 686 cc821-2
3. Mr. John Hall

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the Covent Garden Market Authority has now made recommendations to him about the re-siting of Covent Garden Market; and if he will make a statement.

16. Mr. Oram

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consideration he has given to the views of the Covent Garden Market Authority about the suitability of the Beckton site; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Soames

The Covent Garden Market Authority has not yet given me its considered views on the future location of the market.

Mr. Hall

Is my right hon. Friend aware that I am disappointed by that reply? It is two years since the Act was passed and eighteen months since the Authority set up a panel of experts to look at this question. Is it not time that it now came to a decision, in view of the implications of the Buchanan Report, which makes it essential that the traffic congestion at the present site is removed as quickly as possible?

Mr. Soames

My hon. Friend will appreciate that this is a matter for the Authority which was set up by Statute by this House. As my hon. Friend said, the Authority commissioned an inquiry, a good deal of the results of which have been made public, showing the different costs of putting up a market in different places. Recently the Authority made a public statement to the effect that it was engaged in making a detailed study of a new site where the railways can provide more land than was hitherto thought possible. I hope to get the Authority's view on that early in the new year.

Mr. Peart

Is the Minister aware that, in view of the Agriculture and Horticulture Bill and the debate that we had last Thursday, the delay in relation to Covent Garden is intolerable? If the right hon. Gentleman pressed a little harder and took the initiative, I am sure that this could be speeded up.

Mr. Soames

I do not think the hon. Gentleman is right in saying that it could be speeded up. Once the decision is taken on where the market should be sited, I have no doubt that thereafter the matter will proceed with all speed. It is difficult to decide where the market ought to be, and the Covent Garden Market Authority, which has eminent people on it, must, I am sure, be given time in which to make a considered decision.

Mr. Hall

Will my right hon. Friend say what he means by "all speed"? My recollection of the debate in 1961 is that the traffic problem then was a matter of great and serious urgency. Will the Minister put pressure on the Authority to make up its mind quickly?

Mr. Soames

Once the decision is taken on where the market should be built, the building of it will proceed with all speed, but it is necessary to consider a number of factors before determining where the market should be.

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