HL Deb 31 July 1963 vol 252 cc1136-8

2.8 p.m.

LORD BOSSOM

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the first 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 number of acres existing in Great Britain within urban or city limits under the control of the nationalised railways that are not now in actual use and for which no definite use has ben assigned; also, whether they can state the number of acres in rural areas within the control of the nationalised railways which are not now being used, and for which no definite use has been assigned.]

THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT (LORD CHESHAM)

My Lords, I am informed by the British Railways Board that while details of individual sites may readily be obtained from the Regions they do not keep a central register of land owned by the Board which is not required for the purposes of their business, and the information required by my noble friend is not therefore available.

LORD BOSSOM

My Lords, while thanking my noble friend for what I may call that lack of information, may I inquire as to the areas which will be reviewed in due course, and which are already nationalised property and obviously are not needed by the railways, whether there is any reason why Parliament cannot acquire these lands again for housing sites where desired—"where desired" is a most important qualification—at the price which the public originally allowed for these lands when the railways were nationalised?

LORD CHESHAM

My Lords, I think that raises another question. But my noble friend is aware, I am sure, that the Railways Board are naturally concerned to make the best possible use of any land that they have which is surplus to their operational requirements, in order to bring in the maximum revenue they can get. It is perfectly open to any concern, whether public or private, if the necessity so arises, to approach the Railways Board, who, I am sure, will be glad to talk to them on this basis.

LORD BOSSOM

I thank my noble friend for that comment, but is he aware that what the Railways Board or their representative, or whoever it may be, is attempting to recover on this land is infinitely more than its original value when the railways were taken over and compensation was paid, and that it would be very unfortunate if the public were denied the use of this land, which is so obviously necessary if the railways cannot use it, at a fair price?

LORD CHESHAM

My noble friend is aware, of course, that the Railways Board are not a housing authority, and, furthermore, that they are under a duty imposed by the Transport Act to make the best possible use of their assets.

LORD FERRIER

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that this problem of unused railway land is one which is important in Scotland, and that a good many opportunities are going abegging through the delays in making approaches and getting replies in regard to the use of such land?

LORD CHESHAM

My Lords, I infer from that that my noble friend is suggesting that the Railways Board are tardy in dealing with such negotiations.

LORD FERRIER

That is the case.

LORD CHESHAM

If that is so, I am sure that what the noble Lord has said will strike home.

LORD FERRIER

I thank my noble friend.

LORD BOSSOM

My Lords, would it be possible for the Railways Board to give a list of the available properties? No one can find out that information unless such a list is given. They are the only ones who have that information.

LORD CHESHAM

I have already told my noble friend that they do not keep a central register. It is a matter for them to decide in what form their property records are kept. But I have also told my noble friend that all this information, on an individual site basis, is readily available from the Regions.

LORD BOSSOM

I thank my noble friend for that answer, but I hope that in due course the information will be made a little more lucid for the people who want to try to help the nation.