§ Mr. LuffTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make parish councils statutory consultees in consultations on the grant of HGV operating licences. [47596]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe most effective way for parish councils to comment on applications for a heavy goods vehicle operator's licence is to work with local authorities who have a statutory right to object. In our consultation paper "Quality town and parish councils" published in November 2001 we set out our proposals for improved partnership working between local authorities and local parish and town councils to give them a stronger voice in decisions that affect people's lives. We are currently considering the responses to the consultation paper.