HC Deb 09 August 1972 vol 842 cc1716-8
23. Mr. Hunt

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many planning permissions for the building of private dwellings were granted by the London Borough of Bromley in each of the years 1969, 1970 and 1971; and how many of these have resulted in the completion of such dwellings.

Mr. Amery

This information is not available.

Mr. Hunt

Why is it not available? Similar information for the city of Westminster was given in a Written Answer some time ago. I find this disturbing and not at all understandable.

Mr. Amery

The statistics available to us do not distinguish between planning permissions for public and private sector development and those for new buildings, extensions and alterations. Moreover, completions cannot be related to the number of planning permissions without detailed examination.

Mr. Robert C. Brown

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that private houses started in January, 1971, were sold for £9,000 and that houses of the same design being built by the same builder in Bromley are now being sold at £15,000?

Mr. Speaker

Order. The Question relates to planning permissions in Bromley.

Mr. Freeson

Is not the Minister aware that anyone may go to a local authority and get information from the register of planning applications which is available for public inspection? It should be possible for the Department to obtain that information from a local authority to show the number of private dwelling applications in any year and the number of houses completed.

How many public sector houses in Bromley were approved and started this year? When may we expect Bromley to co-operate with the London Housing Office set up by the London Boroughs Association in pursuit of the Government's policy to make land available in outer London to deal with the problems of the inner London boroughs?

Mr. Amery

That last question is a separate matter and I should like notice of it. It is true that Bromley may be able to supply the particulars and my hon. Friend may approach the council if he wishes, but I would not myself ask the council to undertake what would be a sizeable task.

As for the more general issue, I draw attention to a Written Answer by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary on the work of the London Action Group whose two interim reports are now available in the Library.