HC Deb 08 November 1967 vol 753 c123W
81. Mr. Willey

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the number of applications outstanding with the Board of Trade Advisory Committee; and what is the average length of time such applications have been outstanding.

Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody

754 as at 31st October, 1967. Details of average time outstanding are not readily available, and would have little meaning. But nearly two-thirds of the cases are held up because information is awaited from the applicant.

82. Mr. Willey

asked the President of the Board of Trade what changes have been made to speed up the consideration of applications to the Board of Trade Advisory Committee; and when those changes were made.

Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody

In December, 1966, changes were made in the procedures for collecting the necessary financial and technical information from applicants. At the same time departmental procedures were revised and speeded up. In March, 1967, the amount of financial information required was reduced in building grant cases. And from June, 1967, for small building grants, a simplified form of undertaking could be substituted for a legal agreement.