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Dept for Transport Local Government and the Regions

Answer

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.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

17095; 375 c392W;375 c392W

Session

2001-02

Registered interest declared

Yes

Subjects

Construction Container terminals Public inquiries Port of Southampton

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk