§ Lord Melchettasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they propose to offer the public a choice of route when they publish proposals for the A.34 Whit way diversion at Highclere, and whether they will wait until the judgment quashing the orders for this road scheme is available in writing before proceeding to put forward new proposals.
§ Lord Lucas of ChilworthMy right honourable friends the Secretaries of State for the Environment 827WA and Transport decided in February of this year to adopt the proposals published in March 1981. The orders were subsequently quashed by the High Court on the grounds that in this case a public inquiry should have been held. After careful consideration of the written judgment received in mid-October, my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Transport sees no grounds for publishing draft orders for any route for the new road other than that previously published.
When the new orders are published, the public may, if they wish, suggest alternative proposals for consideration at a public inquiry.