§ Mr. Cashasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will consider appointing two independent assessors to 351W sit with an inspector in relation to public inquiries into highway routes, the assessors having relevant experience in the field of conservation and agriculture.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyInspectors nominated by the Lord Chancellor and appointed by the Secretary of State to conduct public inquiries into road scheme proposals are experienced in the general nature of problems faced, including conservation and agriculture. In certain cases, where particular specialist knowledge is required, assessors have been appointed to assist inspectors, and this practice will continue.
§ Mr. Cashasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will propose changes in the existing regulations so that in his decision in relation to inquiries affecting highway routes and related matters, the statement giving the inspector's decision should be accompanied by the reasons of the inspector.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe regulations governing highways inquiries procedures are the Highways (Inquiries Procedure) Rules 1976 (S.I. 1976 No. 721).
Under these rules the Secretary of State is required to notify objectors and others of his decision and the reasons for it. The rules also require the inspector to report to the Secretary of State his conclusions and recommendations, if any, or his reasons for not making any recommendations. In practice, the inspector's conclusions amount to the reasons for his recommendations.
There are no plans to amend these rules.
If my hon. Friend has a particular case in mind, perhaps he will write to me.