HC Deb 10 March 1969 vol 779 cc974-5
55. Mr. Bessell

asked the Minister of Transport if he will seek to re-negotiate rentals and leases with operators of cafe or restaurant facilities on motorways where the land is leased from his Department and where the operators are able to satisfy him that the rentals charged prevent the cafe or restaurant from being operated on a commercial and profitable basis.

Mr. Bob Brown

No, Sir.

Mr. Bessell

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a good many of the operators maintain that it is impossible for them to attain reasonable standards of cleanliness and neatness, as required under the leases from the Ministry, because it is not possible to operate them on a profitable basis or even to obtain a reasonable return on their capital investment? Will not he look at this matter again seriously, as it is one of great concern?

Mr. Brown

I am not aware that many operators feel that they cannot make a profit on these ventures. There is a considerable public investment at stake here, and, after all, the rents were freely entered into by developers. We did not twist their arms to try to get them to offer higher rents.

Mr. Scott-Hopkins

Will the hon. Gentleman not look at this again? Many of the restaurant and cafeteria facilities on the motorways are appalling—certainly not up to the standards which I am sure he would like to see. Would he not consider the question of wholly renegotiating the leases? The situation is lamentable at the moment.

Mr. Bessell

Hear, hear.

Mr. Brown

On the question of renegotiation, I am sure that hon. Gentlemen opposite do not really expect us to renegotiate leases freely entered into with the developers, for that would not be fair to other people who were not successful in their bids. On the question of service stations not coming up to the standards the hon. Gentleman thinks they should, if he will make representations directly about any in particular we will have a look at them.