§ Lord Onslow of Wokingasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why it has not yet been possible to announce the results of their inspector's inquiry on the River Wye Navigation Order, the report on which was received in February 1998. [HL575]
§ Lord WhittyThe Environment Agency's application for this order under the Transport and Works Act 1992 raises complicated legal issues which have required very careful consideration. In addition, since the close of the inquiry, the Secretary of State has received a series of detailed representations from 167WA parties to the inquiry, including the agency. In the interests of proper administration, the department has decided to make these post-inquiry representations available to all others who appeared at the inquiry so that they may have a chance to comment on them. The Secretary of State will consider any such comments before he determines the application, which he will do as soon as is reasonably possible. It should be noted that, as part of the devolution settlement, should the Secretary of State conclude that an order should be made, the agreement of the National Assembly for Wales would be required to that decision, since the order would affect Wales as well as England.