§ Mr. Loughlinasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to ascertain how many members of the planning authorities are directors of or major shareholders in building and/or land development companies; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Graham PageMy right hon. and learned Friend has no powers to make inquiries of this kind. The law does not exclude persons following particular occupations from membership of local planning authorities or their committees, but it imposes general restrictions on the conduct of members of local authorities when matters are under consideration in which they have a pecuniary interest.