§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the total number of families needing to be re-housed as a result of the east London river crossing.
§ Mrs. ChalkerAs I told the hon. Member on 15 November at column364 any estimate of rehousing will depend on the number of properties to be acquired, whether thery are occupied at the time, and the type of tenure. I regret that it is still too soon to say. An announcement will be made as soon as possible.
§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will set out each of the responses which he has so far received from the Greater London council to the proposed east London river crossing; and whether any further reactions from the council are expected.
§ Mrs. ChalkerIn April 1982 the GLC did not accept the scheme. In July 1982 it saw no objection in principle. In February 1984 it objected to it. Its detailed comments are in its reports T186, T358 and T1080. I cannot forecast if and when it will next provide views, but I note that it has voted itself money to finance yet another GLC propaganda newspaper specifically devoted to this topic.
§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will set out his most recent list of properties likely to be (a) demolished and (b) otherwise directly affected as a result of the east London river crossing.
§ Mrs. ChalkerAn up-to-date list of properties likely to be affected is being prepared for the forthcoming publication of the draft orders. A copy will be sent to the hon. Member as soon as it is ready.
§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for Transport when he now expects to publish the necessary highways and compulsory purchase orders in respect of the east London river crossing; and what is the estimated starting date for the public inquiry into the scheme.
§ Mrs. ChalkerWe hope to publish draft orders within the next three months. It is not possible yet to say when the public inquiry will be held, but it is unlikely to start before next year.