§ Mr. HurstTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the criteria for the sale of residual assets of British Rail which retain a potential public transport use. [105328]
§ Mr. HillFollowing a review by the British Railways Board/shadow Strategic Rail Authority of its property portfolio, the Government have agreed with the Chairman of the sSRA new marketing procedures which give priority to transport use. Under these arrangements the rail industry, local authorities and other transport interests are being informed of all the properties that BRB/sSRA have available including those judged to be of future transport potential. They are also being given prior notification of the intention to market all sites as they come up for sale and have the opportunity to seek a delay in order to work up a bid. All sites are to be sold at open market value in order to protect the taxpayers' interest. Full details are in the BRB's "Marketing Process" document which is available in the House Library.