HC Deb 28 March 1973 vol 853 cc1302-3
29. Mr. Jay

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will now publish the report of the inspector who presided at the public inquiry in 1972 into the proposed West Cross Route motorway from Holland Park Avenue to the Chelsea Basin.

Mr. Peyton

The decision on this inquiry will be announced as soon as possible. The report will be published at the same time as is the normal practice.

Mr. Jay

But as the inspector is widely believed to have reported against this important section of ringway, surely the Minister is not justified in withholding from the public any longer a report which he has had in his hands for three months?

Mr. Peyton

The report arose from a very long inquiry. I have had nothing to do with widespread beliefs. The right hon. Gentleman may be more closely associated with them than I am.

Mr. Spearing

Is the Minister aware that the GLC considered that this road stood on its own, irrespective of any ring-way proposal? That being the case, and since the Layfield Report has been published, why cannot we now have the other report?

Mr. Peyton

The hon. Gentleman has given himself the answer. That report is in a quite different category from the Layfield Report, which dealt with Ring-way 1. The other matter related to a road in which the GLC had intentions, in terms of local traffic. The report and the decision will be published simultaneously as soon as possible.