HC Deb 03 March 1959 vol 601 cc179-80
8. Mr. Houghton

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs why the new procedure for public inquiries announced on 28th February, 1958, relating to reports of inspectors on public inquiries covering disputed planning permission applies only to inquiries held after 27th February, 1958; and whether he will make available to objectors and others concerned reports of inspectors on public inquiries held prior to that date, upon which his decisions have been given since that date.

Mr. Bevins

The decision to publish reports, which was announced on 27th February, 1958, applied to any inquiries held from that date on. Previously, the reports made to my right hon. Friend by his inspectors were written as confidential documents not intended for publication. The answer to the second part of the Question is, therefore, "No, Sir".

Mr. Houghton

Is the hon. Gentleman suggesting that there is any difference in the nature of the inspector's report if it is made confidential or if it is made available to those concerned in a particular inquiry? The underlying situation there is surely undesirable. Is the hon. Gentleman aware of how unsatisfactory it is that, when a change in procedure has been announced, twelve months afterwards there should be decisions taken in his Ministry governed by the old and obsolete procedure?

Mr. Bevins

I am afraid I do not agree with the hon. Member. It is quite clear that reports written before 28th February were written as confidential reports. In certain cases they contained information about the personal circumstances of appellants and so forth. I think it would be quite wrong to publish those reports.

9. Mr. Houghton

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he will place in the Library a copy of the report of his Department's inspector on the public inquiry heard in December, 1957, into the appeal of the Standard Brick Company Limited for planning permission to excavate sand at Godstone, Surrey, and upon which he has given his decision only recently.

Mr. Bevins

Reports of planning inquiries held by my right hon. Friend's inspectors before 27th February, 1958, are not published in any form, and my right hon. Friend regrets that he cannot see his way to complying with this request.

Mr. Houghton

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that I am presuming to give some support to my own Member of Parliament, the hon. Member for Reigate (Mr. Vaughan-Morgan), whose views I understand coincide with my own? Will the Parliamentary Secretary give a more conciliatory answer for his sake, if not for mine?

Mr. Bevins

I have already said that we are not prepared to publish the report, but, if it would help the hon. Gentleman, I am willing to let him have a copy of my right hon. Friend's decision letter, or, if need be, to place a copy in the Library.