HC Deb 25 June 1979 vol 969 cc37-8W
Mr. Pawsey

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) further to his answer, Official Report, 11 June, column 57, what additional planning controls are being discussed with local authorities in connection with the registration of Sunday markets;

(2) whether he will bring forward proposals to enable local authorities more quickly to suppress Sunday markets held without proper planning consent.

Mr. Fox

No additional planning controls to deal specifically with Sunday markets are necessary. However, my right hon. Friend will be considering whether local authorities' powers generally, to take enforcement action under section 87 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1971, might be strengthened. The additional provision aimed specifically at temporary markets—which would not of itself be a planning control—under discussion at the request of the local authority associations would require advance warning to be given to a local authority of the intention to hold a temporary market.