§ Mr. Iain Millsasked the Minister of Transport whether he will make a statement on his policy towards motorway service areas.
§ Mr. FowlerI have now completed my review of motorway service areas policy. I have decided to offer for sale, on new long leases, the major part of the Government's interest in service areas on English motorways. At the same time, I propose to relax many of the detailed restrictions to which operators are now subject. Only covenants essential to ensure that motorway service areas fulfil their function as safe stopping places for travellers will be retained.
I shall be opening discussions with the operators and other interested parties on this basis very shortly. In the meantime, I have circulated a policy statement with details of my proposals. Copies of this have been placed in the Library.
I believe that by giving the operators greater independence and putting them on to a new commercial footing I am offering them the chance to develop new business opportunities and to provide a better and more varied service to the travelling public.