HL Deb 03 February 1960 vol 220 cc870-1

3.2 p.m.

LORD HAWKE

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will impress upon the British Transport Commission the desirability of putting on the market the large number of sites held by the British Railways for which no operational use can be envisaged.]

THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT (LORD CHESHAM)

My Lords, the British Transport Commission are already very much alive to this. The bulk of railway property surplus to foreseeable operational requirements has been sold. The balance is producing a useful revenue yield.

LORD HAWKE

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for his reply. May I take it that when these marshalling yards which are rendered out of date by being replaced by modern ones cease to be used, they will be put on the market for factory sites, and so on?

LORD CHESHAM

My Lords, I do not think my noble friend should take that for granted at all, and I do not think I am justified in adding anything to what I have already said.

VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGH

My Lords, will the noble Lord bear in mind that the Commission ought not to be forced in any way to get rid of their assets in such a manner as they had to do, by Parliament's will, over road transport, but should retain the assets to use to the best of their judgment to the ultimate success of the whole organisation?

LORD CHESHAM

My Lords, that, of course, would be desirable, I would agree with the noble Viscount. But as he well knows, the Commission are at the moment inhibited by the provisions of the Act of 1947 from making the best use of their assets. They have, however, applied to see whether something could be done, and that application is receiving attention at the present time.

LORD REA

My Lords, I do not ask for an answer now, but will the noble Lord bear in mind that much the same point applies in relation to the Ministry of Supply? There are a large number of buildings in similar positions.

LORD CHESHAM

My Lords, I do not think this would be quite the moment, in any case, for an answer to that question.