HC Deb 22 February 1994 vol 238 cc110-1W
Mr. Milburn

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many town centre markets in each region he estimates will be affected by his proposal to deregulate markets.

Mr. Baldry

This information is not available in the form requested.

Mr. Milburn

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the employment impact of his proposal to deregulate town centre markets.

Mr. Baldry

The provision in the Deregulation and Contracting Out Bill to remove from local authorities the right to object to rival markets will create new employment opportunities in the retail sector wherever local authority markets operate.

Mr. Milburn

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the effect on local authority income of his proposal to deregulate town centre markets.

Mr. Baldry

Local authorities were asked to provide this information as part of the consultation exercise last year, but we did not receive sufficient evidence to produce a reliable national estimate.