§ 2.44 p.m.
§ LORD AVEBURYMy 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 now say when the Whitehall Inquiry will be published, and when the Government's decision on it will be announced.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE, DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT (LORD SANDFORD)My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for the Environment will publish the Report and make a Statement when a decision has been reached. I cannot anticipate my right honourable friend's decision.
§ LORD AVEBURYMy Lords, this is exactly what the noble Lord said in answer to a Question I put to him on the same subject on November 18. Would he not now condescend to explain to the House why it takes 14 months between the submission of the Report to the Secretary of State and the publication of that Report and the verdict of the Minister thereon?
§ LORD SANDFORDMy Lords, the decision is a very difficult one, and applies to a part of London where it 800 is absolutely essential that the right decision is made.
§ LORD SHACKLETONMy Lords, is the Minister aware that this Inquiry, which I think was set up during the term of the previous Government, was intended to be completed in about six months? Perhaps the noble Lord's noble friend on his right has something to say on this.
§ LORD SANDFORDMy Lords, the Inquiry was announced on March 12, 1970, and Mr. Willis reported on November 30. But that does not alter the fact that the whole matter is extremely difficult and complex. It involves a key part of Central London, Westminster, and the decision, when, it is arrived at, must be the right one.
§ LORD BYERSMy Lords, is there not a strong case for publishing the Report in order to give people an opportunity of commenting on it before the decision is made?
§ LORD SANDFORDYes, my Lords: I agree that there is a case for publication, and this is a point that is being borne in mind by my right honourable friend.
§ LORD AVEBURYMy Lords, despite its being borne in mind by the noble Lord's right honourable friend, is it not absolutely outrageous that a procedure of this nature should take as long as 14 months, and that meanwhile the architects, this House and another place—in fact everybody—should be kept completely in the dark? The noble Lord comes here and refuses to say a single word beyond what he said on November 18. Is not that a completely outrageous state of affairs, and should not something be published?
§ LORD SANDFORDMy Lords, it is devoutly to be wished by all of us that these matters can be resolved, and resolved quickly. But we have been unable to resolve them, and I am sure that there is no point in my saying any more until a decision has been reached and I am able to announce it.
§ LORD SHACKLETONMy Lords, would not the noble Lord agree that the applause that he seems to be getting from 801 his side of the House shows that the Party opposite are fully in favour of inordinate delay on anything?
§ LORD SANDFORDNo, my Lords; I do not think it shows that at all. What it does show is that the position I am in is not one that can be got out of except by arriving at a decision.
§ LORD GLADWYNMy Lords, will the noble Lord undertake not to come to any final decision until he has had an opportunity of sounding out opinion in this House?
§ LORD SANDFORDNo, my Lords. The decision now lies with my right honourable friend.