§ 19. Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to reform the planning system. [82799]
§ Mr. Caborn'Modernising Planning: A Progress Report' was published on 12 April. It provides an audit of the large number of initiatives in hand to improve the operation of the planning system at the national, regional and local levels.
§ 21. Mr. Gordon MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action the Government have taken to assist local authorities to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the local planning process in the north-west. [82801]
§ Mr. RaynsfordThe Government are undertaking a number of initiatives under their "Modernising Planning" programme to assist local authorities in improving the local planning process in the north-west. My Department is committed to delivering a quality planning service which is fast and efficient and my officials will continue to work closely in partnership with north-west local authorities to achieve this.
104W