§ 6. Dr. John A. Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will announce a decision on the A66 West Cumberiand-Penrith trunk road proposals.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Environment (Mr. Keith Speed)I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 29th November in answer to a similar Question.—[Vol. 847, c. 140.]
§ Dr. CunninghamDoes not the Minister agree that the improvement of the A66 trunk road from the M6 to West Cumberland is crucial to any attempt by the Government to encourage industrial development in that area? Does not he also agree that the inordinate delay since the closure of the public inquiry is inexcusable, and will he now get off his backside and announce his decision?
§ Mr. SpeedI agree with the first part of the question but reject utterly the second part. The public inquiry took 32 days and involved many environmental issues. There were thousands of objectors and objections to be considered. The result will be known in the very near future.