§ 2. Mr. Rees-Daviesasked the Minister of Technology whether he has assessed the suitability of Pegwell Bay as a site from the point of view of the technical operation of hovercraft; and what is the result of this assessment.
§ Dr. BrayThe Department has made no assessment of the suitability of Pegwell Bay, and it is not for it to do so.
§ Mr. Rees-DaviesDoes not the hon. Gentleman recognise that it is essential from the technological, quite apart from the planning, aspect to consider which are the areas which would be most appropriate for the development of this industry? Will he undertake to do so forthwith?
§ Dr. BrayAs I just said, the immediate issue in this inquiry is a matter for the Ministry of Housing and Local Government. The technical evidence will come quite rightly from the two operators, who have different views about where to operate from, and from the manufacturers of the hovercraft.