§ 15. Mr. E. Rowlandsasked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will ensure that public opinion in Cardiff has been fully taken into account before he makes any decision upon the Cardiff primary road programme submitted to him for his approval.
§ Mr. George ThomasYes, Sir. The City Council has not yet submitted proposals to me for approval and before I could approve the construction of the primary distributor roads now commonly referred to as the "hook road", I expect 702 it will be necessary to hold a public inquiry.
§ Mr. RowlandsIs my right hon. Friend aware that in both capital cities, Cardiff and London, there is a growing revolt by citizens against the ravages of these urban motorway schemes? Will he consider sympathetically the view which was put to the Minister of Housing and Local Government on behalf of local residents that the public inquiry should be of the new Stansted type under the 1968 Act—a public inquiry commission—rather than the old form of public inquiry, which has too narrow and restricted terms of reference to deal with the problems involved?
§ Mr. ThomasI well know that this matter has raised tremendous concern among the people in the City of Cardiff. I will look at my hon. Friend's proposal, but, of course, I cannot commit myself.