§ LORD HEWLETTMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether in view of the House's total opposition expressed on March 14 to the Minister's decision on the routing of the A.66 he will agree to visit the site, review his decision and meantime impose a stay of execution upon the scheme which threatens so adversely to affect the beauty of Bassenthwaite Lake.
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE, DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT (LORD SANDFORD)No, my Lords. I have noted the views of the twelve noble Lords who spoke here last week, but my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for the Environment has taken his final decision. He has followed the main recommendations of his inspector, Sir Robert Scott, following a 32-day inquiry at Penrith from January to March last year. He has carefully studied the inspector's report based on the oral evidence of the 122 participants at the inquiry, and the written evidence in 145 documents. He has had the advice of three Ministers, each of whom has personally and independently inspected the route.
§ LORD HEWLETTMy Lords, I thank the Minister for his reply. Is there no opportunity to ensure that this scheme is not proceeded with while the alternative route North of the mountains Skiddaw and Saddleback is further examined? It was the unanimous view of this House 722 that the matter should be re-examined, and I thought that this was a revising Chamber.
§ LORD SANDFORDMy Lord: it is a revising Chamber so far as legislation is concerned. This alternative route was exhaustively examined at the inquiry.
§ VISCOUNT RIDLEYMy Lords, is my noble friend aware that the attraction of industry to West Cumberland depends upon the A.66 being completed as quickly as possible, by whatever route is chosen?
§ LORD SANDFORDYes indeed, my Lords.