HC Deb 05 February 1981 vol 998 c207W
Mr. Stallard

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in view of the reduction in numbers of shops providing services to local communities, he will seek to amend the Use Classes Order 1972 to make the change of use of premises from one type of shop to another subject to the approval of the local authority concerned.

Mr. Giles Shaw

No. It is not the function of the planning system to decide which retail needs the market should cater for.