HC Deb 27 April 1972 vol 835 cc1749-50
11. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made in the sale of State Management District public houses and hotels.

Mr. Carlisle

I have nothing at present to add to the reply which I gave to a Question by the hon. Member for Carlisle (Mr. Ron Lewis) on 17th April. —[Vol. 835, c. 29-30.]

Mr. Hamilton

Will the Minister consider publishing in the OFFICIAL REPORT the prices the Government are getting for this public property? Is he satisfied with the rate at which he is flogging off these highly profitable public assets to the Tory Party's political friends?

Mr. Carlisle

That is about as abject nonsense as the hon. Gentleman spoke during a good deal of the Committee stage of the Bill. So far 34 sales have been made of the smaller public houses, and they have been accepted by the tenants or managers. If that is the type of sale by the Government to which the hon. Gentleman objects, I would reply that I am glad that we are providing opportunities for those tenants and managers to buy their own premises.

Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg

Does my hon. and learned Friend accept that many hon. Members on this side of the House would like to see a considerable speeding up in the process not merely of these sales but of bodies such as Thomas Cook?

Mr. Carlisle

Concerning these sales, as well as the smaller ones which have been made to individual tenants and managers, I am hoping that an announcement will soon be made regarding the sale of the remaining assets, which is to be done by public tender on the advice of the agents we appointed.

Mr. Alexander W. Lyon

Why should the State sell the pubs but save the Tote?

Mr. Carlisle

The hon. Gentleman is asking two entirely different questions. The decision to sell off the public houses was made because the Government felt that they had and should have no part in the sale of liquor in a particular part of the country. The reason for endeavouring to make the Tote viable is that the Government believe that there are social reasons for continuing to provide an alternative method of betting for the punter than its being entirely in the hands of the individual bookmaker.

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