HC Deb 13 November 1962 vol 667 cc169-70
6. Mr. Snow

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what is the total number of planning appeals in respect of property in England and Wales notified to his Department and waiting the holding of inquiries by his Department's inspectors, at the latest convenient date and at the equivalent dates 12 and 24 months previously.

Mr. Corfield

At the end of September there were 2,949 appeals awaiting local inquiries; the comparable figures requested are 3,134 and 2,390 respectively.

Mr. Snow

Has there not been any inquiry as to the cause of these continuing high figures of appeals?

Mr. Corfield

The clear answer is that the intake of planning appeals has been progressively increasing. For example, the appeals in 1960 were 28 per cent. up on 1959, and those in 1961 were 20 per cent. up on those of 1960. There has, at the same time, been a substantial increase in the number of inspectors and I am glad to say that we are now booking inquiries over a shorter period than before, and hope to maintain the improvement.

Mr. Lagden

Can we be told the number of inspectors available to carry out these inquiries at the moment?

Mr. Corfield

There are 121 engaged on full-time work, with a dozen on part-time work.