Planning

HC Deb 22 November 1977 vol 939 cc612-3W

Mr. Haselhurst

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many inspectors have been appointed to conduct planning appeals and other inquiries on his behalf; and how this figure compares with each of the last 10 years.

Mr. McElhone

Since 1973 inquiries have been taken either by full-time Scottish Office inquiry reporters or, as in all cases before then, by persons appointed to handle individual cases. Details are given below:

		Number of full-time reporters*	Number of other persons appointed	Number of planning inquiries handled by persons appointed
1973	…	1	12	143
1974	…	3	20	177
1975	…	4	18	130
1976	…	8	17	67
1977	…	8	13†	76†
* As at 1st April.
† To 16th November 1977.

In addition, 54 inquiries of various kinds have been conducted since 1st January 1973 by persons appointed primarily for their legal background. Information for earlier years is not readily available.

Mr. Haselhurst

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many planning applications he called in under Section 35 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1971 during the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Mr. McElhone

During the 12 months up to 16th November 1977 my right hon. Friend called in 24 applications under Section 32 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1972, the equivalent power to Section 35 of the 1971 Act.

Mr. Haselhurst

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total number of staff employed by local planning authorities on development planning and control work; what is the total number of staff employed by his Department on planning work, including appeals; and how many in each case are qualified chartered town and country planners.

Mr. McElhone

On 18th June 1977, local authorities in Scotland employed 1,521 staff—including 25 part-time—on development planning and control. The number of these who are chartered town planners is not available. On 16th November 1977, the Scottish Development Department employed 116 administrative and professional staff on planning work. Forty-three of these were chartered planners.