§ Mrs. Rumboldasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has had from businessmen about delays in planning decisions affecting the expansion or setting up of a new businesses.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneRepresentations about planning delay are much less frequent than five years ago. This Government have taken a range of initiatives to secure the positive and speedy handling of planning applications. The figures show that the message is getting home; this is confirmed by the findings of independent studies that obtaining planning permission does not generally cause delay. Nevertheless, I am determined to secure further improvements. A circular was issued last month on planning applications involving industrial development.