HL Deb 26 March 1970 vol 308 cc1494-5

11.9 a.m.

THE EARL OF LAUDERDALE

My 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, since the Peston Report on MIDAS is to be published, they will now approve publication of the Halcrow Report on MIDAS also.]

THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT (LORD KENNET)

My Lords, the Peston Report deals with the feasibility of an economic and industrial analysis of the general MIDAS concept. Its publication has no relevance to the Government's decision not to release the Halcrow Report.

THE EARL OF LAUDERDALE

My Lords, in thanking the noble Lord for that reply, may I ask him whether he is not aware that Professor Peston points out that a proper cost/benefit analysis must have reference to particular sites? Therefore, since the assumptions of a cost/ benefit study are at least as important as its conclusions, would the noble Lord have a look at the matter again? May I ask him further whether, since non-statutory bodies like the Severnside and Humberside Studies have apparently had access to Halcrow, statutory bodies like local authorities and the Highland Board might be allowed to do so as well?

LORD KENNET

My Lords, I will bring both those points to the attention of my right honourable friend. On the question of particular places, I should remind the House that the names of the places studied by the Halcrow Committee have been reported to Parliament.

THE EARL OF LAUDERDALE

My Lords, I am much obliged to the noble Lord. A further point: is he aware that places like Stornoway and Swansea, reported on by Halcrow, are not in the published list of ten; and other places known to have been studied by Halcrow were not listed at the time to which the noble Lord refers?

LORD KENNET

Yes, my Lords.