§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what reply has been given by him to representations to him on the accuracy and validity of cost benefit calculations on the Cradlewell bypass, Newcastle.
§ Mr. NorrisMy predecessor, the hon. Member for Salisbury (Mr. Key), answered a number of questions on this topic in the last Session of Parliament, 19 January 1994,Official Report, columns 593–94.
It is not practicable for the Department of Transport to verify in detail the accuracy and validity of all the supporting documentation prepared by local authorities seeking financial support for their transport proposals. The system relies on good practice by local authorities and the detailed scrutiny afforded by audit and public inquiries. The cost-benefit analysis that Newcastle city council submitted for Cradlewell bypass gave an indication of the scheme's value for money that was within the normal parameters for schemes of this type.