§ Mr. Evelyn Kingasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in view of his inability to answer statistical questions in regard to the number of empty houses, the additional planning costs in the light of planning appeal delays, and other connected matters, he will now take steps to collect such statistics in order to make them available to the Dobry Committee.
§ Mr. Graham PageMy right hon. and learned Friend has written to my hon. Friend explaining that he does not think it possible or useful to try to cost planning delays. The important thing is to reduce the causes of delay, which we are doing. We have already indicated in paragraph 21 of circular 142/73 that390W we intend to improve statistics on the handling of planning applications. I have made Mr. Dobry aware of these matters.