Mr. John M. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will indicate(a) when a public inquiry is likely to be set up into Land Rover's proposed rail link to the West Coast main line and (b) the likely venue of such an inquiry; and if he will make a statement. [125869]
§ Mr. HillOn 10 February the Secretary of State announced his decision to hold a public inquiry into the application under the Transport and Works Act 1992 by Rover Group Ltd. for an Order to authorise a rail link from Land Rover's Solihull factory to the West Coast Main Line. At that time, Rover Group Ltd. owned the Land Rover business.
Following the disclosure in March that BMW intended to dispose of the Rover Group and to sell the Land Rover business in a separate transaction, the application has been held in abeyance pending the outcome of the proposed sale. I understand that BMW and Ford have now signed an agreement for the sale of the Land Rover business.
5WOnce the completion of the disposal has been confirmed, it will be for the new owners of Land Rover to decide whether they wish to proceed with the proposed rail link. If they do, we will need to consider with them whether the Order applied for by the Rover Group can properly be taken forward, or whether that application should be withdrawn and a new one submitted. I shall keep the hon. Member informed of progress.