HL Deb 23 January 2003 vol 643 cc116-7WA
Lord Fyfe of Fairfield

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What action has been taken by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in the light of comments made by Lord Justice Schiemann, in refusing an application by the Midlands Co-operative Society for permission to appeal against a decision of the High Court not to quash a decision of the Deputy Prime Minister to allow the construction of a superstore directly opposite that of the society at Thurmaston, that the society's real complaint was of maladministration. [HL931]

Lord Rooker

My right honourable friend the Deputy Prime Minister does not consider that he has been guilty of maladministration in this case. My right honourable friend the Deputy Prime Minister informed the Midlands Co-operative Society of this view in September 2002. Therefore no action has been taken in response to the comments made by Lord Justice Schiemann. However, as set out in last year's planning Green Paper he is committed to improving the handling of called in planning applications and recovered appeals.

Lord Morris of Manchester

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What consideration they are giving, or propose to give, to compensating the Midlands Co-operative Society for losses incurred as a result of the construction of a superstore directly opposite that of the Society at Thurmaston, permitted by the Deputy Prime Minister against the recommendation of his inspector, in the light of comments made by Lord Justice Schiemann, in refusing an application by the society for permission to appeal against a decision of the High Court not to quash the decision of the Deputy Prime Minister, that the society's real complaint was of maladministration. [HL932]

Lord Rooker

My right honourable friend the Deputy Prime Minister does not consider that he has been guilty of maladministration in this case. My right honourable friend the Deputy Prime Minister informed the Midlands Co-operative Society of this view in September 2002. Therefore it would not be appropriate or necessary to compensate the Midlands Co-operative Society for any issues incurred as a result of the new superstore at Thurmaston.