§ Rear-Admiral Beamishasked the Minister of Health what considerations have prevented his approval of the town and country planning scheme put forward by the Uckfield Rural District Council; and whether he. will consult with the Minister of Works and Buildings to urge his committee to realise the importance of the proposals in this planning scheme in particular, and other schemes submitted or approved in general?
§ Mr. E. BrownIt has, unfortunately, been necessary to suspend formal action in regard to the approval of planning schemes during the war, save in a few exceptional cases, first because many landowners and other persons interested in these schemes, by reason of absence on military service or for other reasons connected with the war, are not in a position at the present time to give their attention to the matter, and secondly, because many of the officers of my Department and of the local authorities who are normally engaged on planning work have, up to the present, had to be employed on work more directly related to the prosecution of the war. As regards the last part of the Question, local authorities are encouraged to carry out any informal preparatory work in relation to their planning schemes which may be practicable in existing conditions.