HC Deb 27 November 1975 vol 901 cc267-9W
Mr. Peter Walker

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the acreage of derelict land cleared this year up to 30th September and in each of the previous three years.

Mr. Oakes

Derelict land restored in England by all agencies amounted to 5,360 acres in 1972 and 6,978 acres in the 15 months from 1st January 1973 to 31st March 1974. Figures for subsequent periods are not yet available.

Mr. Peter Walker

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the acreage of derelict land approved for clearance in each of the years from 1970 to 1974; and what has been the acreage of schemes approved up to 30th September 1975 in each region of England.

Mr. Oakes

Following is the information:

Holyhead and Dublin, which the Board announced on 11 June that it intended to withdraw after 30 November.

The TUCC based its views on a number of grounds, all of which the Government have taken into account. In particular, the Government considered the capacity of the alternative service, the hardship which would be caused to farmers in Anglesey, the effects on employment at Holyhead, the views of the Government of the Republic of Ireland, and the views of the trades unions, as expressed at a meeting which I had with representatives of the railway unions and the British Seafarers Joint Council.

The Government have also had regard to the substantial losses which this ship-ping service and its associated railway services are incurring, the Railways Board's assessment that the users of the service would not provide sufficient traffic at the rates which would need to be charged in order to make the service viable, and to the investment which would be needed to retain the service. Finally, the Government have borne in mind the obligation of the Board to operate its shipping services commercially and the Board's financial position.

In the light of all these factors, the Government have reluctantly come to the conclusion that they cannot justify the making of a direction to overrule the commercial judgment of the Board. The Board will therefore remain free to proceed with the withdrawal of the service as announced.