Mr. Gresham Cookeasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if, with 36W a view to implementing as far as possible the recommendations of the Franks Committee with regard to openness, fairness and impartiality in all inquiries, he will make available to the parties concerned copies of the reports of his officers who attend accompanied visits to ascertain the views of appellants and authorities in appeals under the Control of Advertisements Regulations, in the same way that he allows the reports to be available in the case of formal hearings.
§ Mr. H. BrookeThese visits are not inquiries, and they are not made by inspectors. The main object is to enable one of my officers to inspect the site of an appeal with representatives of the parties, and to report on it. Different considerations therefore arise from those which apply to inquiries. I believe that the procedure has been convenient to applicants and it is wholly impartial. I have under consideration however whether I can make the reports available, and I will inform my hon. Friend of my decision.