HC Deb 06 June 1961 vol 641 cc857-8
15. Mr. Woodhouse

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs when he will announce his decision on the recommendations in the report of the Oxford Roads Inquiry.

Mr. Brooke

I hope that detailed consideration of the inspector's report may enable me to announce a decision before the Summer Recess, though I would not like to promise that.

Mr. Woodhouse

If I am right in assuming that the decision will not be announced before the debate on 26th June, may I ask my right hon. Friend to bear in mind that public interest in this matter is not confined to the Upper House; and that what the public interest requires is that a decision should be taken and carried out with the minimum of avoidable delay? May I also ask him whether, in view of the debate in the Upper House, the Government will arrange for Members of this House to address their Lordships from the Bar of that House?

Mr. Brooke

The last part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question is not a matter for me, nor, I think, for you, Mr. Speaker, but I can certainly give the assurance that no decision will be reached by the Government in advance of a debate in another place. I am very anxious that public opinion should have an opportunity to play upon the inspector's report. At the same time, I thoroughly share my hon. Friend's feeling that there should not be an interminable delay here, because it is desirable that before long a firm decision should be announced and promulgated.

Mr. Lipton

Is the Minister still willing to listen to representations that may be made to him in this matter by hon. Members of this House? It is true that I have an interest here, having been in one of the colleges that will be very directly affected by the present proposal.

Mr. Brooke

Certainly, another place has not the monopoly of interest, or of access to the Minister in this.