§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many councillors since 1979 have sought a dispensation from him to allow them to vote on matters in which otherwise they would be disqualified from voting by virtue of a declared interest. [3376]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordThere would be a disproportionate cost involved in providing such figures from 1979. However, records kept since 1985 indicate some 1,360 councillors have sought a dispensation from the Secretary of State to allow them to vote on matters in which otherwise they would be disqualified from voting by virtue of a declared interest.