THE EARL OF SELKIRKMy Lords, I beg leave 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 their attention has been drawn to ribbon development proceeding on trunk route A.1 at Tranent, in East Lothian, and whether they have adequate powers to control building of this character.]
§ THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR SCOTLAND (LORD HUGHES)My Lords, my right honourable friend the 72 Secretary of State is not aware of any recent ribbon development along trunk road A.1 at Tranent. There are adequate powers to control such development. Local authorities must consult the Secretary of State if they contemplate granting an application for development within 220 feet of a trunk road or for development which would involve a new or altered access to a trunk road.
THE EARL OF SELKIRKMy Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord, and I am glad that he thinks he has adequate powers. I would, however, ask him, with respect, to go and have another look, if he would not mind.
§ LORD HUGHESI would not mind, my Lords, but I should like a little guidance in what the noble Earl would like me to look at.
THE EARL OF SELKIRKMy Lords, if the noble Lord is agreeable, I would suggest that he looks at the western end of Tranent to see whether development is not taking place—not on a great scale but on a scale which, I should have thought, would fall well within the category of ribbon development.
§ LORD HUGHESMy Lords, I will accept the noble Earl's invitation and go and look for myself.