§ 76. Captain MARTINasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport if his attention has been called 1694 to the inquiry now being held at the Shire Hall, Chelmsford, with a view to the closing of a number of Essex County Council roads to char-à-bane traffic; is he 1695 aware that if this traffic is forbidden it will cause hardship and loss to many classes of persons; and will he, before consenting to the closing of these roads, consider the alternative of advising the Essex County Council to widen these roads and remove dangerous corners, thus creating useful work for the unemployed as well as removing any hindrance to this traffic?
§ Mr. NEALThe inquiry referred to is a public inquiry under Section 7 (4) of the Roads Act, 1920. It has been fully advertised in accordance with the provisions of the Act, and all interested parties have had an opportunity of presenting their views to the Divisional Road Engineer who is holding it. Before a decision is reached on his Report, the points mentioned by my hon. and gallant Friend, and any other relevant considerations, will be taken into account.