§ Lord Sefton of Garstonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will give an assurance that in any transfer of ownership or leasehold of motorway service areas the interests of those travellers who wish to cater for themselves will be safeguarded and that provision for picnickers will be made.
§ The Earl of AvonUnder their new leases, motorway service area operators are under a continuing obligation to provide lavatory and short-term parking facilities free of charge. The basic needs of self-catering travellers are thus fully taken care of. In addition, most service areas have take-away food counters and many of them have areas specially set aside for picnicking. Provision of these additional facilities is at the discretion of the operators and of course, in the case of picnic areas, depends on suitable space being available.
House adjourned at two minutes past eleven o'clock.