§ Mr. Grahamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, when granting planning consents and giving advice to local authorities, he will take account of the fact that the giving of planning consent to a few large retail companies for hypermarkets and edge-of-town shopping developments may result in an excessive concentration of power over supplies of goods, other retailers and consumers.
§ Mr. KingRetail competition and consumer interests are matters generally for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade. Market considerations such as the concentration of power over suppliers of goods, other retailers and consumers are not in themselves normally planning matters. If they give rise to material planning considerations, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment will take them into account in determining planning applications and appeals. Advice on the planning control of large new stores is set out in development control policy note 13.