HL Deb 08 December 1971 vol 326 cc792-4
LORD FERRIER

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 they will make a Statement of the assurances given or understanding reached between the previous Government and British Leyland Ltd., regarding the improvement of the road communications between the M.6 Motorway and West Cumberland prior to the British Leyland decision to build a factory in West Cumberland.]

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE, DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT (LORD SANDFORD)

No, my Lords. It is not for me to answer as to the way in which the previous Government conducted their affairs or arrived at their conclusions.

LORD FERRIER

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that reply although, concerned as I am for the conservation of our heritage enshrined in National Parks, I cannot help being disappointed. In view of the public inquiry which is to take place at the end of January, and if such an assurance has been given, would not my noble friend agree that it would save a great deal of time and money at the inquiry if a public statement were made making clear before the inquiry takes place what undertaking was given?

LORD SANDFORD

No, my Lords. We start from the public announcement made concerning the improvements to the A.66 by Mr. Marsh on July 14, 1969, and the public statement made jointly by Mr. Marsh and Mr. Crosland on July 15, 1969, concerning the establishment of the Leyland plant in Cumberland.

LORD INGLEWOOD

My Lords, is my noble friend aware that this belief in a rather unusual agreement between the late Government and one particular private industry has caused a deal of consternation? Is he aware further that the chairman of the county council who was close to this matter has stated on television that there was such agreement? In view of the extremely expensive public inquiry which is being imposed on us just after the New Year, would not my noble friend agree that it would be of great help to clear up this question of fact now and save everyone, private and public, a great deal of time and money?

LORD SANDFORD

My Lords, I have nothing to add to my original Answer.

LORD BIRKETT

My Lords, will the Government say whether they have any knowledge of an agreement made between the previous Government and British Leyland in this matter, whatever their own attitude may be?

LORD SANDFORD

My Lords, I really have nothing to add to my original Answer or to my answer to the first supplementary question. We start from the public announcements made by members of the previous Government.

LORD INGLEWOOD

My Lords, is my noble friend aware that he is being very unhelpful to a great many interests and individuals, who, as I said, will be put to a lot of trouble and expense in the near future, when it is within his power to clear much of this away in a matter of a few words, and he refuses to do it?

LORD SANDFORD

No, my Lords. I am anxious to be as helpful as possible, but I have to remember the constitutional proprieties.