HL Deb 19 October 1982 vol 435 cc111-2WA
Lord Boardman

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What are the current estimates for:—

  1. (a) constructing the proposed new roads linking the M1 and the A1 between Catthorpe in Leicestershire and Thrapston in Northamptonshire;
  2. (b) extending the A45 from Wellingborough to Thrapston as an alternative to the proposed new road;
  3. (c) improving the A427 and the A61 16 between the M1 and Thrapston as an alternative to the proposed new road.

The Earl of Avon

The estimated costs at November 1981 prices are as follows:

  1. (a) constructing M1–A1 Link road between Catthorpe and Thrapston—£70 million;
  2. (b) completing the planned A45 improvements to Thrapston—£27 million: and
  3. (c) improving A427 and A6116—£23 million.

However, even if these improvements of the A45, A427 and A6116 were carried out—and there are no plans for improving the A427—they would not do all that the M1–A1 Link Road is planned to do. They would not provide a fast, direct route between the Midlands and the East Coast ports, nor would they relieve Kettering of heavy volumes of through traffic on the A6 and A43 trunk roads.

WILDFOWLING: BANS

Lord Chelwood

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will summarise the proposed new arrangements for bans on wildfowling in severe weather; by which organisations the review was carried out; whether the proposals were favoured unanimously; what reservations, if any, the Government have; how a ban would be publicised; and whether they will give an assurance that they would not again call off a ban without consulting the Nature Conservancy Council.

The Earl of Avon

The Government have received the report of the Working Group on shooting bans in severe weather and are considering its findings and recommendations. The group consisted of representatives of the Nature Conservancy Council, Wildfowl Trust, British Association for Shooting and Conservation, British Trust for Ornithology, British Field Sports Society, the Game Conservancy, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and University of Durham, who have produced a unanimous report. The Government have never called off a ban without consulting the NCC and do not intend to do so in the future. I will write to my noble friend giving him a summary of the proposals, including the procedure for publicity, as soon as the Government have reached a decision on the recommendations.