HL Deb 31 July 1963 vol 252 cc1138-40

2.12 p.m.

LORD BOSSOM

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

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they can state the approximate acreage now employed by the nationalised railways for marshalling yards or below-ground-level railways, which can be covered and used for housing sites in the immediate years ahead.]

LORD CHESHAM

My Lords, I have asked the Railways Board whether they could supply the information requested by my noble friend. They tell me that they cannot do so. To attempt to provide it would entail an extensive survey and inquiries, the results of which would be unlikely, in the Board's view, to yield any advantage commensurate with the cost of undertaking them.

LORD BOSSOM

My Lords, while again thanking my noble friend for his comment, the answer is quite obvious—

LORD FERRIER

My Lords, I hesitate to interrupt the noble Lord, but is he aware that the loudspeaker apparatus is not working?

THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL AND MINISTER FOR SCIENCE (VISCOUNT HAILSHAM)

My Lords, I am aware of that, and I have already taken steps to remedy it, if possible.

LORD BOSSOM

May I thank the noble Viscount the Leader of the House for that kindness? But, as my noble friend has just remarked, while it is all very well to say they have no list, this is public property which was nationalised some years ago. Is the noble Lord aware that a concrete raft could be put over these places? We are in great need of housing sites. Could not an investigation be made into the costs of putting up these concrete rafts, and of the land that would have to be acquired in other places in order to house our people? I am sure that it would be helpful if we could get this information.

LORD CHESHAM

I take my noble friend's point, my Lords, and I agree on the necessity for housing. But again I am bound to say that the Railway Board are not a housing authority and their duty is only to develop their own assets to the best advantage. If my noble friend will think over the terms of his Question, he will realise that if they were to answer it accurately it would involve them in a very extensive and costly survey—simply in order to answer a question on a matter for which they (and I am not concerned with anybody else's responsibility) are not responsible.

LORD BOSSOM

My Lords, is it not a fact that that survey has to be made by someone? Could the noble Lord tell me who will make it, so that this land can be used? We are wasting thousands of acres.

LORD CHESHAM

My Lords, may I say that if it is thought necessary by anyone who has an interest that a survey of any site should be made, then it can be made? What I am saying is that the survey required by my noble friend's Question is not a starter for the Railways Board.

THE EARL OF LUCAN

My Lords, is the noble Lord telling us that the Railways Board do not know the acreage of land involved? If that is so, how is it that they manage to produce the figures for their Annal Report?

LORD CHESAM

No, my Lords, I am not telling the House anything of the kind. If the noble Earl will look at the Question on the Order Paper he will see that it refers to the acreage which can be covered and used for housing sites. The survey of the whole of the Board's acreage, to determine whether or not it could be covered and used for housing sites, would be an extensive and costly one, as I think the noble Earl must agree.

LORD BOSSOM

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for trying to help me. Will the Railways Board give the right of making a survey to anyone who wants to try?

LORD CHESHAM

My Lords, if anyone can approach the Railways Board with a proposition that will interest them, then, in view of the duty that they have, I am sure they will consider it to the full.

LORD BOSSOM

My Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for his answer, I must say that it is rather nebulous.