Mr. John M. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 12 July 1999,Official Report, columns 14–15, on planning inspectors, what is his Department's definition of a secret society. [92532]
§ Mr. RaynsfordPlanning inspectors have a quasi-judicial role and must not only conduct themselves in an open and impartial manner, but been seen to do so. Membership of a society that is perceived by many people to operate with a degree of secrecy is therefore inconsistent with the work of an Inspector.