§ Sir Dudley Smithasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many planning decisions on applications by local authorities he has called in for his decision for each of the years 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984 and 1985, respectively.
§ Mr. TraceyThe information is as follows:
Year Local authority proposals called in 1980 45 1981 22 1982 11 1983 22 1984 12 1985 *18 * Provisional figure: statistical returns on planning cases for 1985 are not yet complete.
§ Sir Dudley Smithasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now revise his approach to controversial planning decisions where he is asked to consider the matter and where a considerable number of responsible people in an area wish him to undertake such consideration.
§ Mr. TraceyThe degree of controversy is one of the factors which my right hon. Friend takes into account in considering requests for his intervention on particular planning proposes. Each case is considered on its merits, but in general he is prepared to call in proposals only if planning issues of more than local importance arise.