§ 3.17 p.m.
§ LORD STONHAMMy Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have for the future development of the fruit and vegetable market at Stratford (London).]
THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD (EARL WALDEGRAVE)My Lords, responsibility for the development of Stratford Market rests with its owners, the British Transport Commission, and the County Borough Council of West Ham, who are the planning authority for the area. In announcing the Government's decisions on the report of the Runciman Committee on June 11, 1958, my right honorable friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food said that they accepted the recommendation that Stratford Market should be developed and expanded. I understand that the County Borough Council are considering the preparation of a plan for developing the market and improving road access to it.
§ LORD STONHAMMy Lords, could the noble Earl say whether that Answer means that in a comparatively short space of time, a year or so, he expects that the market will be developed? The difficulty is that there are firms there who would be prepared to spend money on modernisation but are unwilling to do so while there is this uncertainty about the future.
EARL WALDEGRAVEMy Lords, I cannot give an estimate of the time in which these improvements will be made. As I have endeavoured to say in my reply, the Minister is not the appropriate authority. It is a matter for the owners and the planning authority.