§ Mr. Cryerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the various statutory rules already applying to public inquiries on road proposals.
§ Dr. GilbertExisting statutory rules are continued in The Compulsory Purchase by Local Authorities (Inquiries Procedure) Rules 1962 (SI 1962 No. 1424) and The Compulsory Purchase by Ministers (Inquiry Procedure) Rules 1967 (SI 1967 No. 720). No similar rules have been made for inquiries into orders made under the Highways Acts. The procedures relating to such orders are contained in Schedule I to the 1959 Act as amended by the Highways Act 1971.
§ Mr. Thorneasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is aware of any Council on Tribunals recommendations regarding the information to be supplied to the public before the commencement of a motorway or trunk road inquiry; and what action he intends to take thereon.
§ Dr. GilbertI am aware of the view of the council that, wherever possible, an advance indication should be given to objectors of the general policy relevant to a particular proposal under inquiry and that a departmental witness should be available at the inquiry to explain the policy and answer questions in elucidation of it. The Department follows this practice in connection with trunk road inquiries.
§ Mr. Thorneasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will promote legislation to establish rules governing public inquiries into motorway and trunk road schemes.
§ Dr. GilbertI am in consultation on this matter with the other authorities concerned.