HC Deb 24 May 1972 vol 837 cc383-4W
65. Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, in view of the fact that the average time taken for appeals to be heard and decisions given under the Town and Country Planning Act, 1962 is nine months, what is the longest and shortest time recorded for such appeals; and whether he will take action to expedite the hearing and decisions of these appeals.

Mr. Graham Page

Recently 19 months and two months; the recruitment of more inspectors which offers the best hope of expediting planning appeal decisions is being urgently pursued.