§ Mr. Maxwell-Hyslopasked the Secretary of State for Transport when the Lord Chancellor expects to announce his appointment of the inspector to conduct the public inquiry into stage 2a of the north Devon link road; and what is delaying his announcement.
§ Mrs. ChalkerI will very shortly be asking the Lord Chancellor to nominate an inspector for the public local inquiry. The appointment will then be made jointly by my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for the Environment and Transport.
There is no delay as such. Between the end of the objection period, on 23 June, and the opening of the public inquiry, which it is hoped will be towards the end of this year, much preparatory work is both necessary and desirable so that proper account can be taken of the objections and representations received.