§ Mr. Neubertasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether it is the practice of his inspectors at public inquiries on motorways to accept the submission of evidence relating to the need for the motorway in question; and whether there has been a change in the guidance given in this respect;
(2) under what provision of the Highways Act 1959 his inspector at the Winchester motorway inquiry has undertaken to accept the submission of evidence relating to the need for the motorway.
§ Dr. GilbertThe relevant provisions are paragraphs 5 and 9 of the First Schedule to the Highways Act 1959 relating to the hearing of objections from persons appearing to be affected by the motorway proposals. The inspector has discretion to hear any evidence which in his opinion is relevant to the inquiry. There has been no change in the guidance to inspectors in this respect.