Prime Minister's question asked in the House of Commons, by Lord Arbuthnot of Edrom (Conservative). It was answered on Wednesday, 16 December 2009 on behalf of the Prime Minister.

Engagements

Question: My hon. Friend the Member for Aldershot (Mr. Howarth) has mentioned the mega Pyestock warehouse on the borders of our constituencies. Is the deputy Prime Minister aware that the decision of the noble Lord, overruling 12,000 local residents and the local councils and her own inspector, was taken in the rather doubtful interests of employment, but against the interests—[Interruption.]—because the jobs the Minister suggested might be created are very doubtful—but against the interests—

Answer: I cannot assist the right hon. Gentleman further except to repeat my answer to the hon. Member for Aldershot (Mr. Howarth). These are decisions made under a legal framework. They are made as ministerial decisions, but in the public interest. One public interest that the planning system is determined to promote is employment, and I would have thought that the right hon. Gentleman agreed with that.

Secondary information