Written Answers

Written Answers

West Cumberland Road Communications

LORD FERRIER
asked Her Majesty's Government:How far they feel themselves committed by any assurances given to British Leyland Motor Corporation with regard to improved communications between West Cumberland and the M6 Motorway and whether their decision after the forthcoming public inquiry, opening on January 25, will necessarily be influenced in any way by such commitments

LORD SANDFORD
The Government recognise the need to improve road communications with West Cumberland, to stimulate and sustain industrial growth in the area. The decision whether or not to proceed with the comprehensive improvement of tile A66 trunk road between Workington and the M6 Motorway as now proposed will be taken by my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, when he considers the inspector's report following the inquiry opening in Penrith today.

New Parliament Building: Competition Entries

LORD AVEBURY
asked Her Majesty's Government:How, if the small balsawood models and architectural drawings prepared by the winners of the new Parliament Building competition did not give a sufficiently clear idea of the scheme, it was possible to judge the competition fairly.

LORD SANDFORD
The competition was judged by the panel of highly qualified professional architects appointed as assessors for the competition and the material submitted by the final stage entrants was entirely adequate for their adjudication. It was the panel who specified the kind of drawings and models they required from the competitors. This material is, however, of too specialist a  character to enable the general public to form a proper appreciation of the schemes. Hence the decision of my right honourable friend, which he announced in another place on December 10, 1971, to arrange for further material to be obtained for the exhibition of the final stage  entries which he will be holding in the near future. The decision was taken in agreement with Sir Robert Mathew and his colleagues.House adjourned at eighteen minutes past five o'clock.