§ 74. Mr. Clive Bossomasked the Minister of Transport if he will give a general direction, in the public interest, to the Railways Board that they should offer first refusal of surplus railway lands, particularly in the middle of towns, to the local authorities.
§ Mr. Tom FraserI do not think it would be appropriate to give such a direction. The disposal of surplus railway land is a matter within the management responsibility of the British Railways Board. There are various arrangements either82W statutory or administrative, which ensure that local authorities become aware that such land is available for disposal.