HC Deb 01 December 1965 vol 721 cc1428-9
59. Mr. Buxton

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will give a general direction in the public interest to the British Railways Board that whenever possible they should respect the wishes of local authorities in matters of planning control and work in co-ordination with them on matters of railway land usage, even though they possess exemption from planning control under Schedule 1, Class XVII, of the Town and Country General Development Order, 1963.

Mr. Tom Fraser

No, Sir. There are standing arrangements under which the British Railways Board consults the local planning authorities informally before embarking on development permitted by the Order. I understand that these arrangements work satisfactorily and that the Board does what it can to meet the wishes of local authorities.

Mr. Buxton

Is the right hon. Gentle. man aware that there are many offensive and unsuitably sited industries which exist under the umbrella of railway planning exempt ions? In this connection the Minister knows of the case in Leyton about which I wrote to him. Will he take some action on this?

Mr. Fraser

I understand that in that case the council was satisfied ultimately with the discussions it had with the Railways Board.

Mr. Speaker

Supplementary questions are getting longer. If they were shorter we should have more supplementary questions. The Prime Minister.

Sir M. Redmayne

On a point of order. I apologise to the Prime Minister—but although Ministers and the Opposition have made intensive efforts to get through Questions at a wild gallop this afternoon we have still got through only two-thirds of the transport Questions. Will the Leader of the House note that in the new roster after the Christmas Recess more time should be given to Questions on transport?

Mr. Speaker

That is not a matter for me.