§ Sir Dudley Smithasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether his policy has changed over calling in controversial planning applications by local authorities and others where the public interest is affected and where he has had requests that he should do so from representative organisations and individuals.
§ Mr. TraceyMy right hon. Friend's policy remains as set out in DOE circular 2/81, which states that
The Secretary of State will continue to be very selective about calling in cases for his decision; there will be no change in the criterion that applications will in general be called in only if planning issues of more than local importance are involved".