HL Deb 06 February 1980 vol 404 cc1333-5

2.48 p.m.

Lord MONTAGU of BEAULIEU

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 when they intend to publish the report by the Inspector of the public inquiry into the completion of the M.3 motorway between Popham and Chandler's Ford; and when they expect the M.27 motorway to be completed North of Southampton.

Lord MOWBRAY and STOURTON

My Lords, a decision following the public inquiry about the M.3 will be announced as soon as my right honourable friends the Secretary of State for the Environment and the Minister of Transport have considered all objections and representations, together with the Inspector's comments and recommendations. The Inspector's report will then be made available to the public. This accords with the Highways Inquiries Procedure Rules 1976 and well established practice. With regard to completion of the M.27, a decision will have to be taken following the public inquiry held at Eastleigh last summer into objections to certain side road proposals and the draft compulsory purchase order. Meanwhile, my right honourable friend the Minister of Transport is reviewing the timing of all schemes in the trunk road programme as part of the Government's commitment to contain public expenditure. The outcome will be published in a White Paper in due course and it will then be possible to give an indication of possible completion dates for particular schemes.

Lord MONTAGU of BEAULIEU

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for that reply. Is he aware that over a year ago the previous spokesman in this House promised that the report would be published very shortly? Is he further aware that there will be great frustration in Hampshire about the growing congestion, and also, much more seriously, about fatal accidents on the existing road, until a decision is made on the M.3?

Lord MOWBRAY and STOURTON

Yes, my Lords. I am aware of all these facts. But we must remember that the actual inquiry lasted a year, the Inspector took two years to complete his report to the Minister, and we have had it only since last July. This time last year, the noble Baroness, Lady Stedman, gave my noble friend the answer that it would be with us before long. I give my noble friend the same answer. My right honourable friend's answer will also be with us before long.

Lord AVEBURY

My Lords, while the Minister is reviewing the timing of all trunk road and motorway schemes, will he take into consideration the fact that economic growth, and therefore road traffic growth, are turning out to be very much lower than the forecasts which were used as the basis of the original schemes; and will the noble Lord give us any indication of when this review is expected to be published?

Lord MOWBRAY and STOURTON

My Lords, I indicated to my noble friend that last year, when the noble Baroness said "before long", it turned out to be July; and I confidently say that there will be a decision by this July.

Lord ELWYN-JONES

My Lords, is not two years a rather long period of gestation for the Inspector to produce the report?

Lord MOWBRAY and STOURTON

My Lords, in fairness to the Inspector, he had a serious illness during those two years.

Lord STRATHCARRON

My Lords, will the noble Lord agree that, if we cannot afford to complete the M.3, this section of road might be made into a dual carriage-way? It is well suited to that purpose, with wide grass verges nearly all the way.

Lord MOWBRAY and STOURTON

My Lords, as I told my noble friend Lord O'Neill of the Maine last July, that suggestion is part of the proposals which are being considered in the report, and I am afraid it is improper for me to comment on them.