§ Mr. Sternasked the Secretary of State for Energy what is his policy towards the recommendation of the Severn Tidal Power Group in connection with the proposed Severn barrage to the effect that a decision should be made by private Bill rather than by public inquiry.
§ Mr. David HuntThe further work on the Severn barrage announced in July this year is aimed to reduce uncertainty to the point where it will be possible to make decisions on whether or not to plan for construction. No decision has therefore been made to follow any specific procedural path and a main objective of the work will be to consider further the legal, administrative, organisational and procedural options of a Severn barrage project, and discuss with all interested parties their implications.