§ 37. Mr. John Hallasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is now the target date for the opening by the Covent Garden Market Authority of the new market at Nine Elms; and what decision has been made about the development of the present site.
§ Mr. HoyIt has not been decided when, apart from preliminary planning, work on the new market may start and accordingly no date for its opening can yet be given. The future of the Covent Garden area is a matter for the planning authorities.
§ Mr. HallDoes the Minister recollect that originally there was a statutory duty laid upon the Covent Garden Market Authority to have this market open by 1968, and that this was later extended to 1971? Would he ask his right hon. Friend to devote the same degree of urgency to the opening of this market as he attempted to use when he was sitting on this side of the House?
§ Mr. HoyThe hon. Gentleman will he aware that this was deferred on 20th July last year. The preliminary planning is still going on and the Covent Garden Market Authority is being authorised to make certain purchases of land at Nine Elms in the financial years 1966–67 and 1967–68.
§ Mr. John WellsHas the hon. Member seen the early-day Motion No. 173 in 616 the names of myself and many of my hon. Friends, urging that the preliminary work should be carried on despite the 20th July hold up? Can he give any report of how these preliminary works are getting on?
§ Mr. HoyAs I have just intimated, preliminary planning is still going on, and authorisations have been given to the Authority to make purchases in 1966–67 and 1967–68.