§ 2.49 p.m.
§ LORD ALLERTONMy 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 what is the value of railway property sold since the Railways Board's new powers under the Transport Act, 1962, came into operation; and what is the estimated value of the property now thought to be available for sale.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT (LORD LINDGREN)My Lords, the British Railways Board tell me that from January 1, 1963, to June 30, 1964, they sold estate property worth nearly £4 million. They cannot give a useful estimate in answer to the second part of the noble Lord's Question.
§ LORD ALLERTONMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord for his reply.
LORD HAWKEMy Lords, I should like to ask whether Her Majesty's Government will press the Railways Board to disgorge this surplus land for housing purposes, which the last Government were unable to make them do?
§ LORD LINDGRENMy Lords, your Lordships will be aware that in the 1962 816 Act there are powers under which the Railways Board can deal with surplus hand as well as with land used for operational purposes.
LORD HAWKEMy Lords, is it not possible for local authorities to exercise compulsory purchase rights on this land for housing purposes?
§ LORD LINDGRENMy Lords, that is entirely another question, of which I should require notice.