§ 1. Mr. Dubsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he has taken following the publication of his inspector's report on the inquiry into the Wandsworth borough plan.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Environment (Mr. Giles Shaw)In the case of local plans such as this, the inspector reports not to me but to the local authority. It is for the local authority and not for me to decide what action to take. Meanwhile, I have made it clear that the inspector's comments on the housing policy contained in the plan do not represent the Government's view.
§ Mr. DubsIs it not the case that, following the publication of the inspector's report, the Tory leaders of Wandsworth borough council asked the Minister to dissociate himself from that report because they did not like it and found it embarrassing? Is that not a travesty of what should be a quasi-judicial process and an example of blatant interference in the internal party politics of Wandsworth borough council?
§ Mr. ShawI disagree. The council commissioned the report. A study was undertaken. I expect that the council appointed the members of the commission and required them to report back to it on matters appertaining to its proposals in the local plan. It was for the council to decide what to do with the report. That remains the position.
§ Mr. JayIs the Minister aware that the distinguished and impartial inspector denounced the Conservative Wandsworth council's plan as a wholly inadequate effort by a lot of petty party politicians?
§ Mr. ShawThe right hon. Gentleman will be aware that in making that statement the inspector was exceeding his competence and made an error of judgment.