§ Mr. Cryerasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement explaining the franchising of tyre sales on motorway filling stations; and if he will place a copy of an illustrative agreement in the Library.
§ Mr. HoramMotorway services areas are leased by this Department to the operating companies, which are obliged to provide certain services specified in their leases, including repair workshops. The purpose of these workshops is to cater for emergency repairs only. Restrictions are imposed by the leases on the size of the premises and the range of equipment carried; and operators may hold only such stocks of spare parts and accessories as are likely to be required in an emergency. This effectively excludes the use of the premises for a retail tyre business.
I have arranged for copies of a typical motorway service area operator's building agreement and lease to be placed in the Library. For reasons of commercial confidentiality, certain details of the rent payable in this particular case have been omitted.
I have replied to my hon. Friend's letter about the particular incident which has given rise to his question.