§ Mr. Kenneth Clarkeasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will consider amending Section 67(1) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1971 to enable local authorities to consider planning applications for new industrial premises simultaneously with the Department of Industry's consideration of an application for an industrial development certificate.
§ Mr. Guy BarnettNo. I have no evidence that such a change in the legislation would speed up the consideration of planning applications. In practice, informal discussions directed towards obtaining an industrial development certificate and planning permission proceed simultaneously.