§ Mr. Alan Howarthasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the chief planning adviser has yet consulted representatives of small business about the problems they face with the planning system.
§ Mr. TraceyIt is normal practice for the Department to consult bodies representing small businesses about proposals to modify the planning system which are of relevance to them. By way of example, I refer my hon. Friend to pages 158–159 of "Speeding Planning Appeals: a review of the handling of transferred written representation planning appeals: report of an efficiency scrutiny" (HMSO, May 1986), a copy of which is in the Library. Consultation with representatives of small businesses is not a specific responsibility of the chief planning adviser.
§ Mr. Alan Howarthasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when the chief planning inspector last consulted representatives of small businesses about the system of planning appeals under the Town and Country Planning Act 1971.
§ Mr. TraceyMy Department, including its planning inspectorate, frequently consults bodies representing small businesses about the operation of the planning system, including planning appeals. Representative bodies were, for example, consulted during the course of the efficiency scrutiny of written representation planning appeals last year and the similar review of inquiry planning appeals which was completed recently.
§ Mr. Alan Howarthasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the new chief planning adviser will he expected to devise additional ideas for improvements in the planning system, further to those mentioned in the White Paper on deregulation.
§ Mr. TraceyIt is the responsibility of the planning land use policy directorate under its director, and minerals division under the director of planning services (the chief planning adviser) to search constantly for, and advise on, improvements to the planning system. The proposals described in "Building Businesses … Not Barriers" (Cmnd. 9794) are another step in a process of improvement and simplification which has been under way since 1979. Paragraph 5.31 of the White Paper also invites suggestions for further deregulatory measures which we can consider.
§ Mr. Alan Howarthasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the training for planning inspectors includes a module on development, enterprise and the role of small firms.
§ Mr. TraceyYes, for example, a seminar on the economics of development was held recently for94W experienced inspectors; the subject is to be included in a forthcoming weekend seminar for inspectors recruited within the last two years; and is being introduced as a standard component in the training of new entrants.