HC Deb 20 July 1987 vol 120 cc37-8W
Mr. Heddle

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish the (a) gross and (b) net proceeds of sale of vacant and under-utilised land owned by British Rail sold between the end of 1979 and 31 March 1987.

Mr. David Mitchell

I understand from the British Rail Property Board that gross and net proceeds for total sales of properties in the ownership of British Rail were £523.4 million and £454.4 million, respectively. The board does not keep separate records of the aggregate value of sales of vacant and under-utilised land.

Mr. Heddle

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will identify and publish the exact locations of the vacant and under-utilised land still owned by British Rail as of 31 July.

Mr. David Mitchell

There are currently 1,235 sites covering 9,339 acres owned by British Rail on the registers of unused and underused land maintained under part X of the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980. The registers showing the exact location of each site are available for inspection at the principal office of the appropriate local authority. They are also available at DOE headquarters at 2 Marsham street, for all districts in England and at the Department's regional offices for the regions concerned.