HC Deb 21 February 1949 vol 461 cc1595-6
93. Mr. Joynson-Hicks

asked the Minister of Works upon what grounds the application for a building licence, submitted on 2nd July, 1948, on behalf of Messrs. A. O. Spurrier, of North Street, Chichester, was refused by his Department, as stated in their letter of 5th November, 1948, under reference 0/12/33517/M.M./P.R.F.

Mr. Key

In cases of this nature my Department consults the Government Department concerned. Messrs. Spurrier's application was refused because the Ministry of Food were unable to support it.

Mr. Joynson-Hicks

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the cause of this application was traffic congestion, and can he indicate the reason why the Ministry of Food have to decide on a question of traffic congestion?

Mr. Key

The hon. Member already has that information in a letter sent to him by the Minister of Food.

Mr. Joynson-Hicks

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is a most unsatisfactory state of affairs, and are the decisions of his Department being taken by the Ministry of Food?

Mr. Key

The decisions of the Ministry of Food are being taken by my Department. [Laughter.] The laughter will be on the other side presently. In other words, applications for building licences are submitted first to the appropriate Department so that they may say whether or not they approve of the application. It is not until then that we give consideration to the granting of a licence.

Mr. Oliver Stanley

If in this case matters of traffic and not of food, are concerned, would not the appropriate Government Department be the Ministry of Transport?

Mr. Key

As a matter of fact this was not a question of traffic in the ordinary sense, but a question of approach to the premises in question, and in the letter to which I have referred a suggestion is made by the Ministry of Food on how to deal with it.

Mr. Joynson-Hicks

In view of the exceedingly unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.