§ Mrs. Knightasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will amend present legislation on planning so that permission must be sought from the local authority for change of use of business premises into sex shops.
§ Mr. Giles ShawPlanning permission is already normally required to change the use of non-retail business premises to use as a shop, but not generally to change the use of any one type of retail shop to another. My right hon. Friend does not think that extending planning controls over sex shops would provide an effective solution to the problem of sex shops because planning permission for them cannot be refused on moral grounds. However, 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.