Mr. Welshasked the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking regarding the Horne report on public service facilities; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe Government's response to the Horne report, published in July 1986, accepted the great majority of its recommendations. The Department is pressing ahead with implementation. Proposals for new primary legislation are being prepared, and we shall continue to seek an early opportunity to bring it before Parliament. I announced on 29 July the establishment of the street works advisory committee.
The Department is leading negotiations on diversions of utility apparatus in consequence of highway improvement schemes. Joint working parties of local authority and utility representatives are carrying forward detailed technical work on specifications for reinstatements, training and certification of workmen and the computerised street works notice and register systems.