§ Mr. Andersonasked the Minister of Transport how many section 8 grants 342W published since 1 January 1974 and the Minister's decision on these proposals.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeI shall write to my hon. Friend.
§ Mr. Fryasked the Minister of Transport if he will list the motorway proposals in respect of which public inquiries have been held, but no decision has yet been announced, giving in each case the publication date of the proposals and the date of the holding of the public inquiry.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe information requested is given in the table below. This covers those inquiries which have been completed.
have been made in the current year; and whether, in the light of the oil crisis, he now considers the provision of rail-connected industrial sites a major priority.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeSince 1 January 1979 my right hon. Friend has agreed four section 8 grants in England, and a further three have been agreed in Scotland. The increased cost of oil provides a real opportunity for the Railways Board to attract freight traffic to rail. The Government will continue to make section 8 grants in suitable cases.
I am glad to inform the hon. Gentleman that a number of further applications are being urgently considered by the Department.