Mr. Ron Brownasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in view of the many local objections to the development, he will order a public inquiry into Edinburgh's proposed new motorway known as the western relief road.
Mr. AncramMy right hon. Friend takes the view that Lothian regional council's application for planning permission for the construction of the western relief road is a local issue which properly falls to be determined by the city of Edinburgh district council, as the planning authority. Accordingly, he does not propose to call the application in for his own determination following a public local inquiry.