HL Deb 06 July 1981 vol 422 cc456-7

2.47 p.m.

The Earl of Kinnoull

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress has been made in approving draft county structure plans submitted by local authorities in the United Kingdom.

The Earl of Avon

My Lords, in England, out of 69 structure plans submitted, 59 have been approved. In Scotland, out of nine plans submitted, seven have been approved. In Wales, out of 10 plans submitted, six have been approved.

The Earl of Kinnoull

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for that encouraging reply. Can he say how many draft plans are still to be submitted? Can he give us a reason why these plans take so long to be submitted? And what is the material effect if a structure plan becomes out of date?

The Earl of Avon

My Lords, in answer to my noble friend's three supplementaries, the numbers of plans still to be submitted are, in England three, in Scotland seven, and in Wales none. The structure plans take some time to be submitted because the introduction of the new system was delayed by local government reorganisation and often, I regret, by over-concern for detail. My noble friend asked what happens if a structure plan becomes out of date. The structure plans give a general indication of where developments should be located, and on what scale, and will usually remain operative for some time. However, alterations will be needed from time to time and it is clear that structure plan policies are no longer adequate. A number of alterations have already been submitted.

Lord Leatherland

My Lords, can the noble Minister tell us whether a summary of all these plans is available anywhere? I asked for one today in the Printed Paper Office and they do not have a copy. Is a copy which we can have available in the Ministry?

The Earl of Avon

My Lords, I do not know the answer to Lord Leatherhead's question. I will certainly find out and let him know.

Lord Leatherland

My Lords, on a point of order, it is not"Leatherhead". It is"Leatherland".

The Earl of Avon

My Lords, my apologies for the geographical slip.