§ 4. Mr. Denzil Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will, immediately upon receipt, send copies of the inspector's report of the public inquiry into the proposal to locate a gunnery range at Pembrey to all those local authorities which gave notice of objection at the inquiry.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasThe report will be published and copies made available to interested parties when the inspector's findings have been considered.
§ Mr. DaviesAs the Minister does not appear to be willing to release the report immediately he receives it to one of the protagonists—that is, the councils—will he undertake not to discuss the contents of the report with the other protagonist—the Ministry of Defence—before he finally makes up his mind and publishes it?
§ Mr. Peter ThomasI cannot say that I shall not discuss the matter with my noble Friend the Secretary of State for Defence. The reason why the report will not be issued to one protagonist is that all interested parties should get it at the same time. It is the normal practice in planning inquires for the report to be issued to the parties when the Minister concerned has considered it.
§ Mr. George ThomasI accept what the Minister has just said, but will he 4 assure us that he will deal as speedily as possible with this report when it is received—or, if it has been received—because the issue of Pembrey concerns the people of the whole of Wales?
§ Mr. Peter ThomasI am aware of the importance of this. I am also aware that I have a quasi-judicial function, and for that reason it would be wrong of me, as the Secretary of State, to make any observations before reading this very carefully thought out and complex report.