§ Lord Mackay of Drumadoonasked Her Majesty's Government:
In which month of 1999 they expect the report of the inquiry, held during 1995, into the proposal to 193WA operate a superquarry at Lingerbay, Harris, will be submitted by the Reporter and thereby enable the Secretary of State for Scotland, or the First Minister, to determine the planning application involved. [HL610]
§ Lord SewelThe latest position concerning the report of this public inquiry is that Part 1 of the report was circulated last year to parties, at their request, so that they could consider the accuracy of the record of their evidence. A number of representations was made and adjustments were circulated. These have resulted in counter-representations on the proposed adjustments to Part 1, and the former Chief Reporter is considering whether any final adjustments are necessary. It is expected that some will be required and these will be circulated shortly. Parties must then be allowed a further period of 14 days in which to comment. Thereafter, Part 2 of the report, comprising the Reporter's reasoning and recommendation, has to be completed before the report is submitted for the Secretary of State's consideration. At this stage it is not possible to indicate when the report will be submitted but it is hoped that the former Chief Reporter will have completed her consideration of the case by the end of March.