§ Mr. Powellasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to what causes he attributes the fact that in the last three years 15, 19 and 18 per cent. of appeals to the Planning Commission were successful compared with 22, 25 and 29 per cent., respectively, of appeals to his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment and his inspectors.
§ Mr. CarterThere is some evidence that a higher proportion of planning applications are approved at the first stage in Northern Ireland; moreover, the existence of a single planning authority and a single appeal body in Northern Ireland may produce greater consistency in decisions on both applications and appeals.