§ LORD BEVERIDGEMy Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, under the procedure for public inquiry at Oxford by an independent person, as announced on 13th February by the Lord President. It will be open in the course of an inquiry on any proposal from the City Council for a new road, to persons interested in the rapid development of adequate shopping and social centres in Cowley, and other neighbouring districts, to submit proposals for this purpose, as an alternative to, or accompaniment of, a new road; and whether it will be open to the person holding, the inquiry to include in his report recommendations as to these accompanying or alternative proposals.]
§ THE MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO (THE EARL OF MUNSTER)My Lords, the answer to both parts of my noble Lord's Question is in the affirmative.
§ LORD BEVERIDGEMy Lords, may I express my great gratification, and I am sure the gratification of many Members of this House, at that answer? May I add just one thing: that I hope that the City will act with such speed in submitting proposals for a public inquiry that it does not become necessary for me to put down the further Question which was most kindly suggested to me by the noble Marquess the Leader of this House at the end of the recent debate, when he said that if 436 I felt that there was undue delay in submitting proposals for an inquiry I might consult him as to putting down a further Question. I hope that that will be quite unnecessary and that the City will listen to what I say upon that point to-day.