§ 19. Mr. Brewisasked the Secretary of State for Scotland on what grounds he rejected the findings of the local public inquiry that Mr. Adam Barbour should be allowed planning permission to establish a petrol filling station at his cafe at Auchenreoch, Castle Douglas.
§ Mr. GalbraithBecause my right hon. Friend considered that more weight 1158 ought to have been given to the dangers arising from increased traffic movements on the access to a fast stretch of trunk road.
§ Mr. BrewisIf there is so much traffic on the road, does my hon. Friend think it a good idea not to have a petrol station for sixteen miles on one side of the road between the outskirts of Castle Douglas and Dumfries, which means that all vehicles travelling on the road will have to cross the oncoming traffic to get petrol? Is he also aware that, amongst other distinguished witnesses, the accident inspector gave evidence for Mr. Barbour, and should not my hon. Friend give more weight to the Commissioner who heard the evidence and saw the ground and not substitute his own decisions?
§ Mr. GalbraithI have naturally a great deal of sympathy for the hon. Gentleman and his constituent, but the fact remains that one must have regard to the desirability of avoiding anything that is likely to lead to an increase in the risk of accidents.