§ 49. Mr. Edeasked the Minister of Transport whether he has formulated any policy with regard to the construction of trunk roads across commons, especially in or in the neighbourhood of populous urban areas; and if he will avoid any interference with common lands in any works of trunk-road construction or improvement he may undertake?
Captain HudsonIt is always our endeavour to avoid interference with commons and open spaces, but the hon. Member will realise that in certain places a much needed improvement of a road ma)' be impossible without some encroachment. The hon. Member may like to know that it is not possible compulsorily to acquire land forming part of a common or open space except by means of an Order requiring confirmation by Parliament, unless equivalent land is given in exchange. The Ministry of Agriculture must be consulted, and, if necessary, a public inquiry held.
§ Mr. EdeWill the hon. and gallant Gentleman, in exercising his powers, bear in mind that to construct a road across a common destroys the value of the common for all purposes of exercise?