§ Mr. Staintonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress he is making in his policy of improving the situation whereby planning appeal hearing delays increased from 24 weeks in 1970 to 31 weeks in 1972, and the ratio of appeals to inspectors conducting inquiries rose from 50.26 in 1970 to 71.28 in 1972; and what his forecasts are for 1973.
§ Mr. Graham PageThe best prospect for reducing these delays lies in having available an adequate number of inspectors. Allowing for recruitment during the next few months, the number of inspectors is expected to be 80 more than were available in August, 1972. This represents an increase of 60 per cent. The number of appeals likely to be made during 1973 is unpredictable and I am not able to make a reliable estimate of the ratio of appeals to inspectors for the coming year.
§ Mr. Martenasked the Secretary of State for the Environment on how many occasions in the years 1969 to 1972 he has reversed the recommendations of his inspectors who have conducted inquiries on planning appeals.
§ Mr. Rippon240. This represents 3 per cent. of the total number of planning appeals decided by my predecessor or myself during this period after a local inquiry.