asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether it is his policy that in choosing a suitable venue for a public inquiry into a new motorway-standard road, a location should he regarded as acceptable which has no public transport connecting it with the area through which the whole of the actual route which is the subject of the inquiry passes.

There are several factors which have to be taken into account in choosing a suitable venue for a trunk road inquiry. In this particular case special arrangements for transport are being made for those who wish to give evidence and cannot make their own way. I am writing to the hon. Member about this.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he is satisfied that the siting of the public inquiry to be held at South Molton will enable persons living along the projected route of stage D of the North Devon link road in Sampford Peverell, Purnell, Halberton and Tiverton to travel by public transport to attend the inquiry.