§ Mr. George Gardinerasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department had commenced procedures to dispose of properties and land previously acquired for the extension of the M23 north of Hooley before the recent outcome of the public inquiry was made known; and, if so when he authorised this action to be taken.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeYes. Disposal of property acquired in connection with the now abandoned proposal to extend the M23 northwards was put in hand last November, immediately after the conclusion of a review of our arrangements for the disposal of surplus houses, the outcome of which was announced by my right hon. Friend in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Nelson and Colne (Mr. Lee) on 13 November 1980.—[Vol. 992, c. 462–63]. The public inquiry was not about the decision which was taken in May 1980 to abandon the extension, but about the proposed revocation of the statutory orders giving authority for the extension.