§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) whether, pursuant to the replies by the Under-Secretary of State to the hon. Member for Melton on 23 July and 17 December 1981, Official Report, c. 233 and 204, respectively, he will now list precisely (a) when the report of the consultants into the proposed bypass round Bottesford, Leicestershire, is expected and (b) whether there will be public consultation and if so when it will commence; and whether he will ensure that the proposed timetable is adhered to;
(2) whether, pursuant to the Under-Secretary of State's reply to the hon. Member for Melton on 2 March 1981, Official Report, c. 48, he will outline the reasons why his Department did not engage in public consultation about the proposed bypass around Bottesford, Leicestershire, during 1981; and if he will list all meetings between his Department and outside interests concerning this project during 1981.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWe will keep the public fully informed of progress and we will hold formal public consultation if there are serious alternative proposals on which we would be guided by public views. If the choice of route is obvious and bound to be acceptable to the public we will save time by announcing the preferred route without going through the time-consuming process of formal public consultation. We intend to proceed to the construction of a bypass as soon as is practicable.