HL Deb 05 July 1985 vol 465 cc1402-3

11.21 a.m.

Baroness Gardner of Parkes

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government when they expect to publish the Horne Report on the Public Streetworks Act.

Lord Brabazon of Tara

My Lords, we have not yet received the report of Professor Horne and his team. We expect to receive it in the next few weeks and will take an early decision about publication.

Baroness Gardner of Parkes

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for his reply. I should emphasise, and ask him whether he agrees, the importance of having as soon as possible a report which will do something to eliminate the constant digging up and reinstatement of streets and the great inconvenience caused to people. This is in addition to the very excessive expense due to the repetitive digging of holes in the streets. Will he accept from me that there are 20,000 holes a year dug in the roads of Westminster alone? Indeed, three of them are immediately outside your Lordships' House—for the third time. The gas board started again last night. Although the procedure requires 28 days' notice to be given to the council—

Noble Lords

Order!

Baroness Gardner of Parkes

My Lords, the question is: can my noble friend believe that, as the water board claims, 95 per cent. of these holes are emergencies and only 5 per cent. are planned work?

Lord Brabazon of Tara

My Lords, those are matters which of course Professor Horne has been investigating in his review. Unfortunately Professor Horne was taken ill last year, but I am glad to be able to say that he is better now. That caused a delay in our receipt of the report. As I say, we expect to receive it within a very short time from now.

Baroness Gardner of Parkes

My Lords, as no one else seems to want to ask a question on this matter, perhaps I may ask the Minister this. Is he also aware that delays in reinstatement involve traffic delays and also damage to vehicles passing over unrestored roads? Does he agree that any collaboration to speed up these processes must be desirable?

Lord Brabazon of Tara

My Lords, I entirely agree with my noble friend. I hope that when we receive this report, Professor Horne will have found some solutions to this matter.

Lord Tordoff

My Lords, will the Government read again the report of your Lordships' Select Committee on Science and Technology on the digitising of maps? This will go some way to assisting local authorities in finding where the holes in the ground should go the first time, instead of the second or third time. Are the Government aware that members of the Select Committee are somewhat upset that the Ordnance Survey is not pressing ahead with this important matter as fast as it should be?

Lord Brabazon of Tara

My Lords, I shall certainly again draw the attention of my right honourable friend to the Select Committee's report.