HL Deb 06 November 1979 vol 402 cc807-8WA
Lord AVEBURY

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will give directions to Inspectors not to proceed with any further trunk road inquiries until further notice and, in the meanwhile, whether they will withdraw the Department of Transport's Press Notice of 27th July which includes the statement that technical matters which are determined nationally are inappropriate matters to be reexamined at each local inquiry.

Lord BELLWIN

My right honourable friends the Secretary of State for the Environment and the Minister of Transport know of no reason why trunk road inquiries—other than those into subsidiary orders on the M.42 Bromsgrove section which have been suspended—should not be held at the present time and do not propose to give the directions suggested by the noble Lord. The Press Notice of 27th July mentioned by the noble Lord correctly reflects the policy of the Government.