HC Deb 31 July 1974 vol 878 cc328-9W
Mr. Ronald Brown

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has reviewed the operation of the office development control; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Crosland

Yes. I have been considering the various responsibilities of my Department which concern in one way or another the regulation of the location of new commercial development whether for offices or shops. I have decided that a review should now be set in hand of the objectives of national policy in those fields and the ways of pursuing them. This will be a review conducted within Government, and it will take some time. I do not intend that it should hold up planning proposals coming to me for decision. Various organisational changes have been made within the Department to carry the review forward and I am examining ways in which additional advice can be made available to the Department.

I expect that this review will help in determining future operation of the control of office development. Meanwhile the control will be applied strictly, and

1969–70 1970–71 1971–72 1972–73
Three-Wheelers
Accidents in year ending 30th September 5,094 4,687 4,883 4,914
On issue at 31st March 18,304 18,836 18,472 18,835
Cars
Accidents in year ending 30th September 2,067 1,946 1,700 1,577
On issue at 31st March 6,680 7,061 7,014 7,652

Figures for the years 1969–70 and 1970–71 are for England and Wales and for 1971–72 and 1972–73 for England only.

The numbers of three-wheelers on issue exclude a reserve fleet of about 2,000 vehicles. The records do not identify separately road traffic accidents.

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