HC Deb 14 February 1994 vol 237 cc595-6W
Mr. Nicholas Brown

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, pursuant to his answer of 19 January,Official Report, column 698, how may private citizens obtain information relating to local authorities cost-benefit analysis calculations in respect of local highway schemes.

Mr. Waldegrave

Private citizens should write to the director of transport within the relevant local authority.

Mr. Nicholas Brown

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what provisions of the citizens charter assist private citizens wishing to ascertain the background assumptions and method of calculation for cost-benefit analysis prepared by local authorities in respect of local road schemes.

Mr. Waldegrave

There are no such provisions within the citizens charter. However, local authorities have discretion to disclose what information they see fit. There are also statutory requirements within the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985 which requires local authorities to provide members of the public with information of this type.

Mr. Nicholas Brown

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, pursuant to his answer of 19 January,Official Report, column 698, regarding cost-benefit analysis carried out by local authorities in respect of bypass schemes, what powers he has to compel local authorities to disclose this information to citizens.

Mr. Waldegrave

Ministers do not have such powers over local authorities.