§ Mr. Ben ChapmanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he plans to take with regard to planning officers who take employment with(a) developers and (b) applicants with whom they have dealt. [135663]
§ Ms Beverley HughesThe Government have no powers to intervene in these issues. Local authorities are independent employers and the terms and conditions of their staff, including future employment, are determined in their contracts.