§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for the Environment why the average time taken for planning appeals in Bedfordshire in December 1973 was 31 weeks; and what steps are being taken to correct this.
§ Mr. Eldon GriffithsCurrent delays on planning appeals are attributable mainly to the fact that the number coming into the Department has more than doubled during the past three years. Other causes of delay include those identified by Mr. George Dobry, QC, in his interim report on the development control system. My right hon. and learned Friend is considering various ways of improving the arrangements for dealing with appeals and has asked me to streamline as far as
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PERIOD AUGUST 1972—DECEMBER 1973 Decisions reached by Rent Officers Applications by Local Authorities Not Registered Registered London … … … … 524 156 133 Northern … … … … 111 42 47 Yorkshire … … … … 186 77 77 Manchester … … … … 309 189 109 Liverpool … … … … 99 47 37 West Midland … … … … 235 105 82 East Midland … … … … 163 62 77 Eastern … … … … 644 443 110 Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire 48 10 22 Thames Valley … … … … 18 — 7 Bristol … … … … 291 110 103 Devon and Cornwall … … … … 221 124 58 Southern … … … … 226 120 85 Surrey/Sussex … … … … 145 64 48 Kent … … … … 52 1 27 Wales … … … … 134 42 54 England and Wales … … … … 3,406 1,592 1,071 possible administrative procedures within the Department.