HC Deb 28 June 1965 vol 715 cc5-7
8. Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

asked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources in respect of how many individual planning appeals he has been consulted since his appointment.

Mr. Willey

It is not in accordance with normal practice to give particulars of discussions between Ministers.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has said that the right hon. Gentleman is responsible for general supervision of the use of land? One of the major methods by which the Government make their decision effective is through the decisions on planning appeals. If the right hon. Gentleman is unable to assure the House that he has even been consulted on one of these, he must leave the House and the country very much in doubt as to whether his planning responsibilities exist.

Mr. Willey

If the House accepts the assumption of the right hon. Gentleman it will be misinformed.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

If the right hon. Gentleman wishes to challenge my assumption, is it not extremely easy for him to give the figures?

Mr. Willey

No, the right hon. Gentleman knows—he has held office—that it is not the convention to disclose discussions between Ministers.

Mr. Scott-Hopkins

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many' times he has been consulted concerning agricultural land which is liable to go out of production and into other use?

Mr. Willey

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put down a Question on that point.

Mr. Mawby

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said that had there been a Minister of Land and Natural Resources years ago we would not have problems such as urban overspill and encroachment into the Green Belt? Therefore, will the right hon. Gentleman make it clear that he is consulted and that those consultations bear some fruit?

Mr. Willey

I can assure the House that I am consulted in accordance with the functions which have been given to me.

Mr. Corfield

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the past where planning decisions have been turned down or accepted on the advice of the Minister of Agriculture, or the Minister of Transport, this has always been perfectly well known? Is it not just as easy for him to make it known when he intervenes in any way in planning decisions?

Mr. Willey

If the hon. Gentleman has in mind any specific case perhaps he will put down a Question.