§ 35. Mr. Conlanasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what progress has been made in the discussions being held between the Durham County Council and Wailes Dove Limited, Pelaw-on-Tyne, to enable the firm to transfer its operations, which are causing a nuisance, to a more suitable site.
§ Mr. SkeffingtonI understand that the discussions are still proceeding. The local planning authority is, of course, aware of the urgency of the matter, but I cannot say how long it will be before a decision is reached.
§ Mr. ConlanIs my hon. Friend aware that these discussions have been going on for three years? Is he further aware that his Department has been vacillating for many months in response to my correspondence? Does he not recognise that the only way to deal with this problem is to revoke the planning permission given in 1966?
§ Mr. SkeffingtonI realise that there has been a very long delay, but I do not think it would be profitable at this stage to say whose fault it is. We have tried to get a solution by agreement, and I think this is likely to be achieved.