HC Deb 08 March 1999 vol 327 cc7-8W
Mr. Waterson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many applications for consideration of planning applications by public inquiry have been received by him since May 1997. [74536]

Mr. Raynsford

Comprehensive records are not kept centrally of requests to my right hon. Friend to call in planning applications. However, of those called in in the period 1 May 1997 to 31 December 1998, 239 applications have been or are due to be considered at a public inquiry.

Mr. Waterson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many planning applications have been called in by him since May 1997. [74535]

Mr. Raynsford

For the 20 months from 1 May 1997 to 31 December 1998, my right hon. Friend called in some 246 planning applications.