§ Mr. DevaTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport on how many occasions he has exercised the powers of section 62 of the Planning and Compensation Act 1991 since the section came into force; what projects these related to; on how many times other promoters of transport schemes have exercised these powers; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. KeyThese powers have been exercised by the Secretary of State on 357 occasions since they came into force. They have been used to approve the purchase of property which is, in the opinion of the Secretary of State, likely to be seriously affected by the construction or opening of new or widened trunk roads in England. The exercise of these powers, which are discretionary, is a matter for individual promoters; I regret that the Department has no information on how they are operated by others.