§ 29. Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has any plans to seek to amend local authorities' enforcement powers in relation to planning, air pollution and waste disposal.
§ Mr. HowardWe hope shortly to receive the report of the review of local authorities' planning enforcement powers, now being carried out by Mr. Robert Carnworth QC, and the need to amend existing powers will be considered in the light of the report's recommendations. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has already announced our intention to introduce, in the lifetime of this Parliament, legislative proposals to improve waste management. We hope to provide for new controls over air pollution which will give local authorities powers of prior authorisation (and associated enforcement powers) over certain industrial processes as announced in consultation papers issued in December 1986 and December 1988.