HC Deb 24 January 1961 vol 633 cc15-6
24. Mr. Sydney Irving

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what method he is adopting to recruit additional inspectors to deal with the increased number of planning appeals; and what increase he proposes in the establishment.

Mr. Brooke

In present circumstances the recruitment and training of additional inspectors is virtually a continuous process. Inspectors far established posts are recruited through competitions held at intervals by the Civil Service Commission; those for temporary posts by way of the Technical and Scientific Register of the Ministry of Labour. At the latest competition for additional inspectors fourteen people were successful and a further competition is to be held in the near future.

Mr. Irving

Can the Minister say how long it will be before we can hope for some reduction in the rather vexatious delays in these appeals? Can he also say what time he is aiming at achieving in this respect when establishment is completed?

Mr. Brooke

I cannot forecast this, because it depends on the rate of growth of the number of appeals, and that no man can tell. My concern is steadily to build up the number of my inspectors, but in doing so I do not want to sacrifice quality for quantity.