§ 2.41 p.m.
§ LORD LUCAS OF CHILWORTHMy Lords, I beg to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will state the reasons for the delay in completing the details of the last remaining portion—the Sandford link—of the Oxford by-pass roads; when the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation will be in a position to issue the confirming order, and when he will authorise the commencement of the construction, and thereby fulfil the undertaking given by the Leader of the House on behalf of the Government on February 13, 1957, that the Oxford bypass roads would be completed with all possible speed.]
§ LORD MANCROFTMy Lords, there has been no avoidable delay. Following publication of the draft Order to establish the line of the Oxford Southern By-Pass Extension and Sandford Link, representations were made by Oxford City Council to ensure that a connecting link could be made beween the new road and Abingdon Road. I am glad to say that this can now be agreed. The form of junctions required has been settled. Some further consultations with interested parties are still necessary, but my right honourable friend hopes soon to be able to make the Order. I cannot say at present when constructional work can be authorised.
§ LORD LUCAS OF CHILWORTHMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware that the draft proposals were published in September, 1956, and that the request by the Oxford City Council for a connecting road was made in December, 1956? Is 480 he aware that this was agreed by the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation in June, 1957, and that the intervening time between then and now has been taken up with discussing whether to have flyovers or roundabouts? And is he further aware that now that the decision has come out in favour of roundabouts the whole plan is precisely the same as that presented to the Minister by the Ox-fordshire County Council on April 1, 1948? I do not know whether the noble Lord would call that delay "due" or "undue". Might I ask this final question? He now says that negotiation must take place with interested parties because the line has been somewhat altered from the original draft proposals. Does that mean that there is a likelihood of another public inquiry—yet another public inquiry—with all the ensuing delays?
§ LORD MANCROFTMy Lords, I did not say "due" or "undue"; I said "avoidable". In the unlikely event of my right honourable friend being unable to come to agreement with those whose property is concerned, it may be necessary to have another public inquiry. I very much hope not, but there are the rights of the subject which have also to be considered. I do not think anyone who travels around the country can accuse my right honourable friend of being a laggard when it comes to improving the roads of this country. I hope, my Lords, that he will never be put in the position of being accused of riding roughshod over the liberties of the subject.
§ LORD LUCAS OF CHILWORTHOn that I would agree with the noble Lord. But he will, will he not, take into consideration that there have been ten years for careful consideration of the rights of the subject by his right honourable friend and his predecessors?
§ EARL HOWEMy Lords, a roundabout has been mentioned. May I ask the noble Lord whether this Southern bypass at Oxford will not constitute a major traffic artery; and, if that is so, is he able to assure us that the roundabout will be of adequate radius for the traffic which will be expected to use it? Many of them are not.
§ LORD MANCROFTThis one, I am sure, my Lords, will be.