§ Mr. P. Noel-Bakerasked the Minister of Transport how many houses the British Railways Board intends to retain in order to facilitate the movement of its employees from one place to another when they are promoted.
§ Mr. MarplesThe British Railways Board tells me that it is not its policy to retain houses for the specific purpose of facilitating the movement of its employees on promotion. It tells me, however, that between 13,000 and 14,000 houses are being retained for essential operating staff, and also to enable houses to be made available in areas where256W alternative railway employment can be offered to redundant staff.
§ Mr. P. Noel-Bakerasked the Minister of Transport what average price was obtained by the British Railways Board for the 1,662 houses sold by the Board since the beginning of 1961.
§ Mr. MarplesThe British Railways Board tells me that in view of the great disparity in the type and quality of railway houses sold in the past three years, which range from cottages in rural areas to houses in large towns, and having regard to negotiations for the sale of house property in hand at the present time, it considers it would not be in its best interests to disclose the average price obtained for houses sold.
§ Mr. P. Noel-Bakerasked the Minister of Transport how many of the 1,662 houses sold by the British Railways Board since the beginning of 1961 were sold to employees of British Railways.
§ Mr. MarplesThe British Railways Boards tells me that this information is not readily available, and that to provide it would entail a disproportionate amount of work.