§ Mr. WelshTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how he has ensured that any land disposed of by his Department has been put to productive use; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NorrisThis is an operational matter for the Highways Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Mr. Haynes to Mr. Andrew Welsh dated 28 October 1994.
As you probably know, since the creation of the Highways Agency in April this year, it falls to me, as Chief Executive, to write to MPs who have tabled questions on matters which relate to operational matters of the Highways Agency and to give the information requested.In answer to your question about how we ensure that any land we dispose of is put to productive use I would explain that, under Treasury rules, Government Departments and their Agencies are required to dispose of surplus land and property within three years of being so identified, subject to the need to realise the full value for the Exchequer. Once land or property has been sold and is no longer in our ownership, it is for the new legal owner to decide how he wishes to utilise his acquisition.