§ Mr. Lewisasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation why, since 1946 he has sponsored the application and granting of building licences totalling £28,010 for Messrs. Lambs of Woodford, Standard House, Southend Road, Wood-ford Green, to facilitate the erection of vehicle repair and maintenance workshops, and a petrol station, when there are more than adequate facilities for that type of work in the numerous garages and workshops within the vicinity of these new buildings.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydApplications for building licences for the extension, improvement and heating of this company's workshops at a cost of £20,545 were sponsored between 1946 and 1952 by the Regional Transport Commissioner, on the ground that additional maintenance and repair facilities, mainly for commercial vehicles, were needed in this district.
The licence granted by the Ministry of Works in 1953 for the erection of a petrol station did not require such sponsoring. The Regional Transport Commissioner was, however, consulted by the Ministry of Works, and raised no objection to a project which he considered would relieve traffic congestion and promote road safety.