§ Mr. Altonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in the light of the criticisms of present procedures made by the Council for Science and Society, the Outer Circle Policy Unit, and Justice, he will bring forward proposals for reform of the rules for public inquiries on matters of major public controversy such as motorway schemes and the siting of nuclear plant.
§ Mr. HeseltineThe interesting proposals which have been put forward are for a non-statutory preliminary investigation of projects with major national implications. They will be carefully studied.
The procedures for trunk road, including motorway, inquiries were reviewed jointly with the Council on Tribunals and new arrangements introduced last year. I 707W am glad to say that they are working well, but they are being kept under review.