HC Deb 18 July 1977 vol 935 cc328-30W
Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will consider implementing the Expenditure Committee's recommendation contained in paragraph 65 of the report that a local planning authority may be called upon to pay costs when he reverses a planning decision;

(2) whether he will consider implementing the Expenditure Committee's recommendation contained in paragraph 64 of its report that a local planning authority may have costs awarded against it on appeal in the event of inefficiency being disclosed;

(3) whether he will implement the Expenditure Committee's recommendation contained in paragraph 73 of its report that an inspector in cases transferred to him should issue this decision within a specified period of two weeks from the end of the inquiry or receipt of written recommendations;

(4) whether he will consider implementing the Expenditure Committee's recommendation contained in paragraph 68 of its report that a time limit be imposed on the duration of consultations with statutory undertakers;

(5) whether he proposes to implement the recommendations of the Eighth Report of the Expenditure Committee (Environment Sub-Committee relating to Planning Procedures).

Mr. Guy Barnett

My right hon. Friend has received Volume 1 of the Report. He is considering the recommendations and will present his response to the House in due course.

Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) in planning cases to be decided by him, what is the average time taken by inspectors to submit their report following the conclusion of inquiries; and whether he considers the imposition of six weeks would be reasonable;

(2) in planning cases to be decided by him, what is the average time taken to reach his decision following receipt of the inspector's report; and whether he considers the imposition of three months would be reasonable.

Mr. Guy Barnett

In cases decided in May 1977 the median time between conclusion of the inquiry and submission of the inspector's report was seven weeks, and from submission to decision by my right hon. Friend was eight weeks. My right hon. Friend wishes the procedure to be as speedy as possible, consistent with thorough examination of the merits, and is examining the recommendations on this aspect in the Expenditure Committee Report.