HC Deb 19 March 1998 vol 308 cc693-4W
Mr. Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the number of rail projects that have been affected by the sale of British Rail land since 1 May. [35029]

Ms Glenda Jackson

[holding answer 17 March 1998]: While a number of promoters of schemes have lobbied the Department in respect of planned rail projects using surplus land that British Rail has put up for sale, we are not aware of any case in which a firm proposal has been prevented solely by the sale of that land.

Mr. Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what level of capital receipts is anticipated in 1997–98 from the sale of land held by British Rail; what was the estimated level of receipts in respect of 1997–98; and if he will make a statement. [35030]

Ms Glenda Jackson

[holding answer 17 March 1998]: The level of capital receipts anticipated in 1997–98 from the sale of land held by British Rail is £75 million. The estimated budget at the beginning of the year was £78 million.

Mr. Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received from(a) Railtrack, (b) English, Welsh and Scottish Railways and (c) train operating companies in respect of his decision to continue to dispose of land held by British Rail. [35026]

Ms Glenda Jackson

[holding answer 17 March 1998]: A number of representations have been received at both Ministerial and official level from Railtrack and from English, Welsh and Scottish Railways (EWS) in respect of the decision to continue to dispose of land held by British Rail. EWS have confirmed that they accept the principle that British Rail land and property should be offered on the open market, and Railtrack are working closely with British Rail to identify individual sites which may be relevant for their future development of the network.

Mr. Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if it is his policy to generate a level of income from sales of British Rail land commensurate with the plans established before May 1997. [35271]

Ms Glenda Jackson

Yes. The receipts from the disposal of BR Land are part of the expenditure programme of the previous administration, to which the Government are committed.