§ 3. Mr. Peytonasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will take steps to expedite planning procedures, particularly in those cases referred to him because amendments to town maps are required.
§ The Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs (Mr. Henry Brooke)I am extremely anxious to expedite planning procedures and I will always welcome suggestions for doing so. As far as town maps are concerned, recent changes I have introduced in methods of presentation should simplify the handling of amendments and reduce the time taken.
§ Mr. PeytonI should like to thank my right hon. Friend for that reply and also for the great expedition with which a certain recent case that came to his Department was handled. I am very much appreciative of that fact. May I ask my right hon. Friend in general whether he will impress on all planning authorities the real need for understanding the urgency which is very often attached to these projects and the irritation which is caused by what seems unnecessary delay?
§ Mr. BrookeI am obliged to my hon. Friend. It is my constant desire that both planning authorities and my Department should deal with these matters as expeditiously as possible. We must be scrupulously fair to all concerned, but it is really unfair if there are unnecessary delays in reaching decisions.