§ Mr. BatesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to allow local planning authorities to set their own fee levels for planning applications; and whether these fee levels will be subject to market testing.
§ Mr. BaldryI refer to the answer my hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government and Planning gave to the hon. Member for Beckenham (Mr. Merchant) on 17 December 1993,Official Report, column 1102-03.
As market testing applies only to central Government activities, it would not be appropriate in this context. There will, however, be safeguards to ensure that local authority fees for planning applications are kept at a reasonable level.