§ Mr. Leeasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average length of time for the determination of planning appeals affecting Birmingham; how many appeals are currently under consideration; how many of these have been under consideration for more than six months; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. OakesDetailed statistics about the length of time taken to decide appeals affecting Birmingham are not available, but I believe that in general average 491W times should become progressively less in 1975. There are at present 94 planning appeals in my Department concerning sites within the area of Birmingham District Council; 59 of these have been under consideration for more than six months but action on 26 of these has been suspended at the request of the parties. Eight are at decision stage, 10 have inquiries already fixed during the next two months and 15 are preceding by written representations.