§ Mr. Michael Marshallasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to encourage local authorities to allow non-polluting, new small businesses to be set up and to grow with the minimum of bureaucratic controls.
§ Mr. Kenneth BakerI take it that my hon. friend has planning controls chiefly in mind. Our aim since coming into office has been to reduce unnecessary planning controls generally and to make the system as simple and efficient as possible. A wide range of further measures of relevance to small businesses is being considered following consultation on such matters as the proposal for simplified planning zones and amendments to the general development order. The circular and booklet on guidance for small firms which my hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State announced to the House on 22 April at column720 will be published in draft shortly.