§ 4. Mr. Ottawayasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to revise the development control policy note on amusement centres.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Environment (Mr. Neil Macfarlane)This development control policy note is currently under review and I hope to issue a revised version before long, which will be the subject of the customary consultation.
§ Mr. OttawayI am grateful to my hon. Friend for that answer. As every decision by the city of Nottingham planning dept not to authorise the opening of an amusement arcade has been overturned by the Department's planning inspectors, in spite of local petitions, the wishes of local councillors and a forecast by local traders of the impact on shops, does he agree that the wishes of the local community should be borne in mind in the revised note?
§ Mr. MacfarlaneI note what my hon. Friend has said. I understand the background to the problem that has affected his constituents. That is why we are promoting the issue urgently. I hope that the consultations can be concluded early in the new year and that that will satisfy my hon. Friend's constituents.