§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will assess the effect on the opportunities for and ease of major road building in London of the proposed powers contained in the Local Government Bill for trunking roads without inquiry.
§ Mrs. ChalkerAs was made clear to the Commons Committee on the Local Government Bill, of which the hon. Member was a member, the proposed powers are concerned only with transfer of ownership of the roads and can have no effect on established procedures for public consultation and inquiry for any traffic or highway schemes that might be proposed.
§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Secretary of State for Transport what changes he envisages to the planning inquiry system currently under review to accelerate the planning process for major road schemes in urban areas.
§ Mrs. ChalkerMy right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Transport and for the Environment are considering whether any changes should be made in the light of the Civil Engineering Economic Development Committee's report on pre-construction procedures for motorway and trunk road schemes. They hope to announce their conclusions by the autumn.