§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek powers to prevent the use of retail shopping premises for the propagation of black magic rituals, witchcraft ceremonies and exorcism.
§ Mr. Giles Shaw:No. I do not think this is an appropriate matter for town planning legislation, since planning powers can be used only for landuse planning purposes. Matters of religion and morality fall outside the scope of the planning system. I am not aware of any other powers open to my right hon. Friend to control occult shops, nor of any environmental justification for taking such powers.