HC Deb 16 July 2002 vol 389 cc243-4W
Dr. Julian Lewis

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what guidance his Department issues to the Planning Inspectorate in respect of the(a) starting dates for major public inquiries and (b) avoidance of overlapping dates for separate major public inquiries affecting the same objectors. [69625]

Mr. McNulty

There is no specific guidance issued by the Department to the Planning Inspectorate for:

  1. (a) the start date for inquiries. The Inspectorate is in general expected to handle cases as quickly as possible and statutory rules require most inquiries to start within 22 weeks of the announcement of the intention to hold them;
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  2. (b) the avoidance of overlapping dates for separate major public inquiries affecting the same objectors. The Inspectorate takes account of potential overlaps: where they occur, programmes for the inquiries concerned can usually be arranged to avoid problems for objectors.