§ 35. Mr. Evelyn Kingasked the Secretary of State for the Environment by what per centage he estimates office rents have gone up in the City of London since Office Development Control was introduced.
§ Mr. Michael HeseltineBy about 200 per cent. for modern, non-specialised offices.
§ Mr. KingDoes my hon. Friend recognise the considerable responsibility which restrictive planning decisions have for cost inflation? Will he examine any other assumptions in his Department which are old-fashioned and are having disastrous financial results?
§ Mr. HeseltineI am sure that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is only too happy to examine any assumptions in the Department which are old-fashioned. Last December we announced our review of O.D.P.s. and we believe that this will have a substantial effect on the rise in office rents.