asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, following the abandonment of the current Aire Valley motorway inquiry, he will now draw up rules for the future conduct of such proceedings; and if he will make a statement setting out the statutory provisions under which such inquiries are held.

Rules of procedure for such inquiries are in preparation and I understand that the Lord Chancellor will make them, in consultation with the Council on Tribunals, when they are ready. These inquiries are held under the provisions of the First Schedule to the Highways Act 1959 as amended by the 1971 Act.