§ Mr. Edward Lyonsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will amend the practice of his Department so that it notifies to objectors or their legal representatives who have participated in any local public inquiry conducted by inspectors of his Department the decision subsequently reached.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerWhere rules of procedure have been made by the Lord Chancellor for local inquiries, there is provision requiring the Secretary of State to notify his decision and his reasons for it to the principal parties to the inquiry and, in most cases, to any other person who appeared there and asked to be notified of the decision. A similar practice is followed in cases to which no statutory rules apply.
On development plan submissions, objectors who have registered their names with the local planning authority are notified that the Secretary of State has amended the plan; and of where they may inspect it. The plan is put on deposit locally for inspection.
I see no reason to amend present practice, but if the hon. Member will bring to my attention any example of the practice not having been followed, I will be pleased to examine it.