§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Energy what study he has made of the publication by the Town and Country Planning Association entitled "Energy Policy and Public Inquiries"; and what action he has taken or intends taking to meet the criticisms and implement the recommendations therein.
§ Mr. BennThe Association was kind enough to send me an advance copy of its statement, which I have read with interest. The Government share the Association's view that energy policy should be formulated in the light of the broadest and best informed public debate possible, and has worked consistently to this end; most recently by publishing, earlier this month, a Green Paper on energy policy. However, I would not accept the arguments in the statement, because I fear that they would weaken parliamentary control of energy policy.
Planning inquiries are primarily the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment. We shall keep the Association's suggestions in mind, where appropriate.