HC Deb 22 November 2001 vol 375 c394W
Dr. Julian Lewis

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many representations have been made to his Department(a) in favour of and (b) in opposition to the building of a container port at Dibden Bay. [R] [17097]

Mr. Jamieson

In response to the advertisements placed by Associated British Ports Ltd. in respect of their proposal, the Secretary of State received 175 representations in favour of the proposal and 6,189 opposed.

Dr. Julian Lewis

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what action his Department intends to take in respect of the petition to Parliament from residents of the New Forest, East constituency concerning the Dibden Bay Public Inquiry venue. [R] [17098]

Mr. Jamieson

We will respond to the petition in due course.

Dr. Julian Lewis

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the proposal to hold the public inquiry into the application for permission to build a container port at Dibden Bay(a) in premises owned by the applicant company and (b) outside the area which would primarily be affected by the building of such a port. [R] [17095]

Mr. Jamieson

In the circumstances following the withdrawal of the original venue for the inquiry we considered all the representations made to us about a new venue and accepted the offer from Associated British Ports of the use of the Ferry Terminal Building at Southampton Port. Alternative venues considered were either unsuitable for staging an inquiry of the size and length that the Dibden inquiry is likely to be or would result in too long a delay in getting an inquiry under way.

We have recognised the concerns of local residents about the choice of venue and have asked the inquiry Secretariat to hold the first week's session in Hythe and to arrange for some further sessions to be held in the local area provided suitable locations can be found.

Dr. Julian Lewis

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will require the public inquiry into the application for permission to build a container port at Dibden Bay to be held on premises within the area which would primarily be affected by the building of such a port. [R] [17096]

Mr. Jamieson

The Dibden Bay public inquiry will be held at the Ferry Terminal at Southampton Port. The first week's proceedings will be held at the Appledore Centre, Hythe and the inquiry Secretariat have been asked to arrange some other sessions at venues in the local area, provided suitable venues can be found.