§ Mr. Joplingasked the Minister of Transport by what authority she has instructed the Railways Board, when disposing of land, to offer it first to local authorities.
§ Mr. John Morris:My right hon. Friend has given no such instruction. Joint Circular No. 43 and 57/66 issued by the Welsh Office and the Ministry of Housing and Local Government to all local authorities on 17th October, 1966, however, embodies an arrangement agreed by the nationalised fuel, power and transport industries to give the first offer of their surplus land to local authorities. The object is to ensure that the land is put to the most advantageous use in the public interest as a whole.