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statutes do not. It is a guide and not legally binding. Thirdly, there is the specific advice given to Ministers on the A34 Whitway diversion.. I cannot, as I have already explained to the noble Lord, say what that advice was. I can only repeat that Ministers satisfied themselves that no inquiry was necessary in this case. I accept that Ministers would normally order an inquiry to be held where there were a significant number of unwithdrawn objections. But this was not a normal casé.
As I have explained, the department's scheme had considerable local support, including that of the main land owner in question, and little local opposition. My right honourable friends were satisfied that they had, or would have in response to the letter asking for final comments, sufficient information to take a decision on the orders. And they were satisfied that the issues were sufficiently clear cut to enable them to decide without the advice of an independent inspector. In sum, they were satisfied that they did not need to hold a public inquiry in this case.
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I do not consider that anything either discreditable or underhand has been done.. I do not believe that, in any sense, the word "scandal " could be used in this particular connotation. I hope that I have illustrated to the House this evening that a great deal of consulta- tion and interest has been taken at all levels. The noble Lord, Lord Melchett, asks whether the Govern- ment will now reconsider the decision not to hold an inquiry. I have to say, No. I must stress, however, that no decision has yet been taken whether or not to make the orders themselves. In this context, the noble Lord's research will not have been wasted and, in this context, the remarks he made this evening will be carefully studied.
John Francis Dare and Gillian Loder Dare (Marriage Enabling) Bill [H.L.]
Hugh Small and Norma Small (Marriage Enabling) Bill [H.L.]
The Bills in the form approved by the Personal Bills Committee were presented and read a first time.
_HKG 025/1.
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Written Answers
TRAFFIC OFFENCES
Lord Broadbridge-asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they agree that:"
(a) relations between police and public would be greatly improved if the police no longer had to deal with minor traffic offences (for example, illegal parking); `
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(b) these responsibilities, including those of traffic wardens, should be devolved specifically to either central Government (for example, Depart- ment of Transport) or local authorities;
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(c) ultimate responsibility for all traffic offences
should be devolved to a separate executive. D
Lord Belstead: These proposals have a number of practical and legal disadvantages and on the whole would not be advantageous to the police or to the criminal justice system generally. wie ist mood
A.
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modrow of eyed Hate & oa BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES ♣
Lord Houghton of Sowerby asked Her Majesty's Government:
gode far I
What territories now comprise the British Empire.
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The Secretary of State for Foreign and Common- wealth Affairs (Lord Carrington): The remaining British Dependent Territories are:
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Anguilla,
✓ Bermuda,
British Antarctic Territory,
British Indian Ocean Territory,
British Virgin Islands,
✅ Cayman Islands,
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Falkland Islands, and Dependencies,
/ Gibraltar,
, Hong Kong,
/ Montserrat,
Pitcairn Group of Islands, St. Helena and Dependencies, Turks and Caicos Islands.
MR. THEO VAN BOVEN
R
Lord Brockway asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they support the dismissal of Mr Theo van Boven, the Dutch director of the United Nations Human Rights Division, from his post.
Lord Carrington: This is a matter for the United Nations Secretary-General. He has appointed Mr. Kurt Herndl from Austria to succeed Mr van Boven, who has been officially informed that his contract will not be renewed when it expires on 30th April. The Secretary-General is aware that we value Mr. van Boven's excellent work.
COMPREHENSIVE TEST BAN: TRIPARTITE TALKS
1.
Lord Brockway asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the tripartite talks between the USA, the USSR and the United Kingdom on a comprehensive test ban treaty will be continued in view of the opinion of the USA that it would not reduce the threat of nuclear weapons.
Lord Carrington: On 9th February the United States representative told the Committee on Disarmament that while a comprehensive ban on nuclear testing re- mained an objective of his Government, the ban would