HC Deb 03 May 1974 vol 872 c564W
Mr. Michael Latham

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether the terms of reference for Mr. George Dobry, QC, permit him, in formulating his final report, to examine the basis of the planning system as a whole with a view to recommending alternative systems, or only to recommend administrative improvements to the present system;

(2) when he expects to receive a final report on the machinery of development control from Mr. George Dobry, QC.

Mr. John Silkin

The terms of reference for Mr. Dobry's final report, which I expect by the end of the year, are as follows:

  1. (i) To consider whether the development control system under the Town and Country Planning Acts adequately meets current needs and to advise on the lines along which it might be improved, bearing in mind the forthcoming redistribution of planning functions between local authorities and the new system of structure and local plans.
  2. (ii) To review the arrangements for appeals to the Secretary of State under the Planning Acts, including the rights of appeal and the handling of appeals in the Department of the Environment, and to make recommendations.

It is not an object of the inquiry to look at the basis of the planning system as a whole.