§ 59. Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in the light of the events of the public inquiry at Shipley, he considers that any modifications are needed in the scope or procedures of similar inquiries.
§ Mr. John SilkinI deplore the conduct of certain objectors at this inquiry which has repeatedly interrupted the proceedings since the inquiry opened on 4th November and has now culminated in its adjournment until 3rd February. These interruptions have seriously inconvenienced a large body of other objectors and prevented them from lawfully taking part in the Inquiry.
The procedures for making trunk road Orders, including the holding of local inquiries, are set out in Schedule 1 to the Highways Act 1959 and these procedures have been fully observed in the Airedale Inquiry.
I am considering whether any modifications are needed to these procedures.