§ 26. Mr. Hastingsasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he expects to give further guidance to local authorities about planning permission procedure linked with car parking facilities.
§ Mr. WilleyA circular is with the printer and should reach local authorities within three weeks.
§ Mr. HastingsIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this news will be very welcome as it is a long time since the Minister first undertook to give this guidance and there is still considerable confusion among many local authorities? Can he give some idea of the general lines of guidance which he intends to lay down?
§ Mr. WilleyWe are obliged for the hon. Gentleman's representations. As he will have expected, the guidance will make it clear that it is a cardinal principle that no payment or other consideration can be required as a condition of the granting of planning permission.
§ Sir H. Lucas-ToothIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that improper payments in the meanwhile have undoubtedly been made, and will he consider getting reimbursements made in suitable cases?
§ Mr. WilleyThe hon. Gentleman will not expect me to deal with individual cases unless he lets me have particulars of them. If he does so, I will certainly consider them.
§ Mr. AllasonHas it not taken a very long time to tell local authorities that it is highly objectionable to demand payments in cash in return for planning permission?
§ Mr. WilleyThe hon. Gentleman will understand that we have had to consult 315 the local authority associations and we have only just received the last of the replies.