§ 48. Mr. Higginsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek to amend the law to provide that, in the case of sex shops, local planning authorities may withhold consent on grounds additional to those of material planning considerations.
§ Mr. Giles ShawNo. It would not be appropriate to extend the town and country planning legislation into non-planning matters. Where such matters arise, it is preferable to deal with them through legislation which is expressly designed for the purpose. In the case of sex shops, the Government have expressed support in principle for a proposal by the Greater London Council for legislation to introduce licensing control over sex shops in London. The question of more general legislation is being kept under review by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department.