HL Deb 17 February 1966 vol 272 cc1145-6

3.9 p.m.

VISCONT NORWICH

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government on what grounds the Minister of Housing and Local Government has accepted the Inner Link Road Scheme proposed by Norwich City Council, thereby overriding the views of Professor Colin Buchanan, the Civic Trust and his own official appointed inspector; and whether, now that the City Station site has become available, he will reconsider his decision.]

The JOINT PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES (LORD MITCHISON)

My Lords, after considering the report of his inspector and all the alternative suggestions, none of which commanded general support, my right honourable friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government decided to approve the Council's line, which, unlike the others, could be implemented quickly to meet an acute traffic problem. Even if the City Station site became available, it is by no means certain that this would provide a better route.

Viscount NORWICH

My Lords, I should like to point out that the City Station site—

SEVERAL NOBLE LORDS

Question!

Viscount NORWICH

I apologise to your Lordships. Are Her Majesty's Government aware that in fact the City Station site is now available? And does not this fact put a completely different complexion upon the matter?

LORD MITCHISON

My Lords, I think not, for the reasons I gave in my original Answer.

LORD CONESFORD

My Lords, is the Minister aware that this decision has caused the greatest distress to the Norwich Society and to all other lovers of this historic city, to which the decision threatens to do irreparable injury? Are the Government further aware that if they could encourage the Norwich City Council, even at the eleventh hour, to have second thoughts, they would be thanked by posterity?

LORD MITCHISON

My Lords, my right honourable friend is well aware that he cannot satisfy everybody. I have counted six different suggestions, all supported by different people; and, for the reasons given in my original Answer, I think that my right honourable friend did perfectly right to meet an acute traffic problem by this decision.

LORD CONESFORD

My Lords, is it not dangerous to assume that the inspector who hears the inquiry is always wrong?

LORD MITCHISON

My Lords, it is even more dangerous to assume that the Government are always wrong. They are usually right.