HC Deb 22 February 1967 vol 741 c304W
Mr. Evelyn King

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what is the total annual cost, national as well as local, of town and country planning.

Mr. Willey

I presume that the hon. Member is referring to administrative costs.

In 1964–65, the last year for which figures are available, the expenditure of English local authorities on town and country planning (excluding debt charges) totalled £14.2 million.

I estimate that during 1966–67 the cost of the Ministry's planning work in salaries and overheads, including expenditure on planning surveys, will be about £3.5 million.