§ Mr. BarronTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what priority the Planning Inspectorate gives to planning applications on brownfield sites in former coalmining communities. [38654]
§ Mr. RaynsfordThe determination of planning applications is the responsibility in the first instance of local planning authorities. In the case of planning applications that have been called in for determination by my right hon. Friend, no one form of development proposal is given priority over another.
§ Mr. BarronTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) when the Coalfields Task Force will report on its programme of action; [38656]
419W(2) what priority his Department gives to employment creation measures in former coalfield communities. [38655]
§ Angela EagleMy right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister established the Coalfields Task Force last October to consider what more might be done to assist communities affected by pit closures. Their report will be published in May. In response to their recommendations on employment creation and other issues, the Deputy Prime Minister will launch a programme of action for the coalfields at a National Coalfields Conference to be held on Wednesday 24 June at 011erton Miners' Welfare in North Nottinghamshire.