§ Mr. HigginsTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to give a full reply to letters from Worthing borough council of 13 July, 23 September, 1 October, 14 October, 19 October and 22 October on the compulsory purchase orders issued by his Department in connection with the development of the A27 in the Worthing area; why replies have been delayed; on what specific legislation his Department has relied in the procedure it has adopted to deal with mistakes in the compoulsory purchase orders; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. KeyThe Department has no record of receiving a letter from Worthing borough council dated 13 July until a copy was enclosed with the Council's letter of 1 October. A reply was sent on 7 October. A reply to the letter of 23 September was sent on 24 September. Replies to the letters of 14, 19 and 22 October were sent on 3 November.
Where discrepancies in land ownership details in the draft compulsory purchase order have been drawn to the Department's attention, they have followed the procedure laid down in schedule 1 of the Acquisition of Land Act 1981 to give notice of proposed amendments to those concerned.