HC Deb 07 July 1971 vol 820 cc1311-2
4. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the up-to-date valuation of the freehold properties of Thomas Cook and Sons; and whether he can now state when the proposed Bill for their disposal will be introduced.

The Minister for Transport Industries (Mr. John Peyton)

I have written to the hon. Member about property valuation. On timing, I have nothing to add to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield, Hallam (Mr. J. H. Osborn) on 16th June.—[Vol. 819, c. 439.]

Mr. Hamilton

Does the right hon. Gentleman recognise that the Transport Holding Company, which he said is handling the sale, is to issue a statement to prospective buyers? Will he give an assurance that the statement will be available to Members of this House and that this business will not be sold to any organisation which contributed to Tory Party funds at the General Election?

Mr. Peyton

Of course I will gladly give the undertaking asked for in the first part of the question about making any statement on this subject available to Members of Parliament. As for the last part of the question, all I can say is that the hon. Gentleman has managed to contribute his own unique blend of suspicion and self-righteousness, which is wholly unjustified.