Examination of Witnesses (Questions 13340
- 13359)
13340. On my third point, I have stated that
there has been an anomaly. Matthew Horton's point was heard. The
strategic environmental assessment point that I raised was particular
as I understand it applies to policies. Now, I am informed by
a letter presented to me by the WHRA that the Government considers
the tunnel alignment to be policy and, when this Bill gets Royal
Assent, the tunnel alignment will be the principle of the Bill
and be the main decision that will take place. The decision on
this route was taken at the safeguarding which was at the time
when the strategic environmental assessment applied. This requires
the least-harmful route to be selected. We do not believe the
least harmful route has been selected either here or elsewhere
on the central section, so, therefore, we believe that point ought
to be considered.
13341. CHAIRMAN: What do you want us
to do about it?
13342. MS KHELA: Well, as I understand it, after
having read Matthew Horton's transcripts, I believe you suggested
that there could be some sort of recommittal.
13343. CHAIRMAN: No, I do not think we
have got any powers to do that.
13344. MS KHELA: I have read that that was the
case. If that is no longer the case—
13345. CHAIRMAN: It never was the case.
Where have you read it?
13346. LORD BROOKE OF ALVERTHORPE: Where
is it from? Where is the piece of evidence?
13347. CHAIRMAN: Do you mean that it
goes back to the floor of the House for a public committee stage?
13348. MS KHELA: Yes.
13349. CHAIRMAN: Well, that will happen
anyway.
13350. MS KHELA: But will this particular point
be raised, that we have raised this as a problem, that we do not
believe that the least-harmful route has been selected? Will that
be raised as a point?
13351. CHAIRMAN: If somebody raises it,
yes.
13352. MS KHELA: Well, I am raising it.
13353. CHAIRMAN: No, no. I am talking
about a Member of the House and I do not think you have got that
far yet!
13354. MS KHELA: So I have dealt with point
3, that we are not satisfied, and we would like that on the record,
that the least harmful route has been selected. We would further
like to point out that many of these documents were not disclosed
and, had they been disclosed, we would have liked to have been
consulted and we have not been consulted contrary to 6(2) of the
EIA, so neither on the Strategic Environmental Assessment nor
on the EIA does this Bill actually comply with the requirements
to consult with the public, and third reading with MPs is not
consultation with the public. Consultation with the public was
requested by the WHRA, by the Spitalfields Small Business Association
and that did not occur. Now, dealing with Mr Elvin's points—
13355. CHAIRMAN: Well, Mr Elvin has already
answered these.
13356. MS KHELA: Well, I have some issues with
his responses.
13357. CHAIRMAN: So you want to cross-examine
Mr Elvin?
13358. MS KHELA: No, I do not want to cross-examine
him, but—
13359. CHAIRMAN: Mr Elvin has already
dealt with all of these.
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