To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to ensure that all councils adopt local development frameworks; and if he will make a statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to ensure that all councils adopt local development frameworks; and if he will make a statement.

Letter dated 09/02/2015 from Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon to Lord Avebury regarding the Ebbsfleet Development Corporation and affordable housing. 1 p.

Letter dated 09/02/2015 from Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon to Lord Avebury regarding the Ebbsfleet Development Corporation and affordable housing. 1 p.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, which local authorities have had their local development framework rejected by his Department in 2014.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, which local authorities have had their local development framework rejected by his Department in 2014.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, which local planning authorities do not have an adopted local development framework in place.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, which local planning authorities do not have an adopted local development framework in place.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many local planning authorities do not have an adopted local development framework in place.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many local planning authorities do not have an adopted local development framework in place.

When he next plans to meet district council representatives to discuss their Local Development Frameworks; and if he will make a statement.

When he next plans to meet district council representatives to discuss their Local Development Frameworks; and if he will make a statement.

I welcome the fact that King’s Lynn and West Norfolk council is one of the 55% of local authorities that have an adopted local plan. My hon. Friend and I met last year, and I would be happy to arrange another meeting with him and local council representatives, if he would like that.

I welcome the fact that King’s Lynn and West Norfolk council is one of the 55% of local authorities that have an adopted local plan. My hon. Friend and I met last year, and I would be happy to arrange another meeting with him and local council representatives, if he would like that.

I thank my hon. Friend for that very helpful reply. Does he agree that, given the importance of localism and local authority autonomy, councils such as King’s Lynn and West Norfolk, which has plans in place plus a five-year-plus supply of housing, should have a very good chance indeed of not being overridden on appeal when it comes to speculative, opportunistic developments?

I thank my hon. Friend for that very helpful reply. Does he agree that, given the importance of localism and local authority autonomy, councils such as King’s Lynn and West Norfolk, which has plans in place plus a five-year-plus supply of housing, should have a very good chance indeed of not being overridden on appeal when it comes to speculative, opportunistic developments?

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. The key is having a robust five-year land supply and, if an authority can demonstrate that, there is absolutely no reason why their decisions about housing development should not stick.

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. The key is having a robust five-year land supply and, if an authority can demonstrate that, there is absolutely no reason why their decisions about housing development should not stick.

Many of my constituents in the market town of Garstang are currently under siege from developers, who are trying to bypass the local core development plan process and using their might to force through planning permission. Other than what the Minister has just said in answer to my hon. Friend the Member for North West Norfolk (Mr Bellingham), what extra steps might he put in place to ensure that local authorities keep control of where they want developments to happen and how they want them to proceed?

Many of my constituents in the market town of Garstang are currently under siege from developers, who are trying to bypass the local core development plan process and using their might to force through planning permission. Other than what the Minister has just said in answer to my hon. Friend the Member for North West Norfolk (Mr Bellingham), what extra steps might he put in place to ensure that local authorities keep control of where they want developments to happen and how they want them to proceed?

My hon. Friend knows that the most important thing is that his local authority produce a plan. We are happy to support the process of getting that plan in place in any way we can. I can meet him and his local authority; I have officials who can help his local authority; and it can also get some help from the Planning Advisory Service. The key is to get that plan in place, and then the local authority will be in charge.

My hon. Friend knows that the most important thing is that his local authority produce a plan. We are happy to support the process of getting that plan in place in any way we can. I can meet him and his local authority; I have officials who can help his local authority; and it can also get some help from the Planning Advisory Service. The key is to get that plan in place, and then the local authority will be in charge.

This paper has been prepared as an initiative of the Inter-Parliamentary Research and Information Network (IPRIN) with contributions from research staff working for each of the four UK legislatures.

This paper has been prepared as an initiative of the Inter-Parliamentary Research and Information Network (IPRIN) with contributions from research staff working for each of the four UK legislatures.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the average cost to local authorities is of preparing a local development framework; and how many such applications have not been accepted in the last year.

[146226]

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the average cost to local authorities is of preparing a local development framework; and how many such applications have not been accepted in the last year.

[146226]

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps local communities can take to instigate a revision of a local development framework (LDF); and what powers (a) the Planning Inspectorate and (b) he has to revoke LDFs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps local communities can take to instigate a revision of a local development framework (LDF); and what powers (a) the Planning Inspectorate and (b) he has to revoke LDFs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps local communities can take to secure revisions in the local development frameworks of local authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps local communities can take to secure revisions in the local development frameworks of local authorities.

Lords debate on motion to consider the Draft National Planning Policy Framework. Agreed to on question.

Lords debate on motion to consider the Draft National Planning Policy Framework. Agreed to on question.

My Lords, I have not spoken in a debate in the Moses Room before: it is an interesting experience. The Minister, in opening this debate, talked about the developments that had to take place in the post-war period to repair the bomb damage and other ravages of Nazi Germany upon...

My Lords, I have not spoken in a debate in the Moses Room before: it is an interesting experience. The Minister, in opening this debate, talked about the developments that had to take place in the post-war period to repair the bomb damage and other ravages of Nazi Germany upon...

If the answer is, regretfully, no, I hope that there will at least be the opportunity to debate the final document.

If the answer is, regretfully, no, I hope that there will at least be the opportunity to debate the final document.

My Lords, that is not in my hands, it is in the hands of the business managers, but I hear what my noble friends have said.

My Lords, that is not in my hands, it is in the hands of the business managers, but I hear what my noble friends have said.

I do not think my noble friend has answered the question that I put to her. What is the status of the local plans that have been adopted by local authorities? Some of them will have been adopted quite a long time ago. Will they automatically become out of date...

I do not think my noble friend has answered the question that I put to her. What is the status of the local plans that have been adopted by local authorities? Some of them will have been adopted quite a long time ago. Will they automatically become out of date...

I am most grateful to my noble friend for giving way. The noble Lord, Lord McKenzie, asked about parliamentary participation in the final stage of the revised plan. My noble friend indicated earlier that there would be a proper opportunity for the revised plan to be debated on the Floor...

I am most grateful to my noble friend for giving way. The noble Lord, Lord McKenzie, asked about parliamentary participation in the final stage of the revised plan. My noble friend indicated earlier that there would be a proper opportunity for the revised plan to be debated on the Floor...

My Lords, I thank the Minister, the noble Baroness, Lady Hanham, for promoting and sponsoring this debate and for giving us a chance for yet another go at a debate on the NPPF. It has been a wide-ranging debate. My noble friend Lady Whitaker raised design issues; we had several...

My Lords, I thank the Minister, the noble Baroness, Lady Hanham, for promoting and sponsoring this debate and for giving us a chance for yet another go at a debate on the NPPF. It has been a wide-ranging debate. My noble friend Lady Whitaker raised design issues; we had several...

My Lords, it seems, like most noble Lords who have spoken in this debate, that I too must declare that I am a landowner. I am also a farmer—although more of a lifestyle farmer than some of the noble farmers who are here today. I should declare to those noble...

My Lords, it seems, like most noble Lords who have spoken in this debate, that I too must declare that I am a landowner. I am also a farmer—although more of a lifestyle farmer than some of the noble farmers who are here today. I should declare to those noble...

My Lords, I declare an interest as a landowner. I refer to the comment by the Minister at the beginning of the debate that everything that was said this afternoon would be taken into account when considering the final version of the NPPF. However, there is no opportunity for us...

My Lords, I declare an interest as a landowner. I refer to the comment by the Minister at the beginning of the debate that everything that was said this afternoon would be taken into account when considering the final version of the NPPF. However, there is no opportunity for us...

My Lords, I declare an interest as a member of Newcastle City Council. I am on the board on One North East, a member of English Heritage and also of the National Trust. I agree absolutely with what my noble friend Lord Cormack has said about the nature of the...

My Lords, I declare an interest as a member of Newcastle City Council. I am on the board on One North East, a member of English Heritage and also of the National Trust. I agree absolutely with what my noble friend Lord Cormack has said about the nature of the...

My Lords, this is an important document that will make a considerable difference to the way we live. Not surprisingly, we have had a large number of comments and objections, which should not be underrated. First, I tell the Minister that I am quite favourable to the new structure of...

My Lords, this is an important document that will make a considerable difference to the way we live. Not surprisingly, we have had a large number of comments and objections, which should not be underrated. First, I tell the Minister that I am quite favourable to the new structure of...

I will give my noble friend an example of a horrible use of the word ““sustainable”” in practice. In Suffolk, where I live, the Suffolk Coastal District Council fairly recently—within the past five years—said that if you want to convert a farm building into a house it must be used...

I will give my noble friend an example of a horrible use of the word ““sustainable”” in practice. In Suffolk, where I live, the Suffolk Coastal District Council fairly recently—within the past five years—said that if you want to convert a farm building into a house it must be used...

I am grateful to my noble friend for that lengthy intervention; I was about to ask him if he would give way. The two criteria that I mentioned have merit, but in deciding on them, planners must take into account the nature of the historic rural environment in which the...

I am grateful to my noble friend for that lengthy intervention; I was about to ask him if he would give way. The two criteria that I mentioned have merit, but in deciding on them, planners must take into account the nature of the historic rural environment in which the...

I declare that I am chief executive of London First, a business membership organisation that includes property developers. Given the previous two contributions, I should perhaps also declare my past involvement in the regeneration of two textile mills in Blackburn. I enter the debate having missed the previous debate two...

I declare that I am chief executive of London First, a business membership organisation that includes property developers. Given the previous two contributions, I should perhaps also declare my past involvement in the regeneration of two textile mills in Blackburn. I enter the debate having missed the previous debate two...

My Lords, I declare an interest as a landowner. We are lucky—perhaps the Minister is not so lucky—to be having this second bite of the cherry following our planning debate on 13 October. I am relieved, myself, to be losing the PPSs and the PPGs and starting again with 50...

My Lords, I declare an interest as a landowner. We are lucky—perhaps the Minister is not so lucky—to be having this second bite of the cherry following our planning debate on 13 October. I am relieved, myself, to be losing the PPSs and the PPGs and starting again with 50...

My Lords, I, too, am very grateful to the noble Baroness for giving us the opportunity to discuss the provisions of the National Planning Policy Framework. I welcome very much the rationalisation and simplification of our planning procedures that will follow from it. Nevertheless, the point of discussing a draft...

My Lords, I, too, am very grateful to the noble Baroness for giving us the opportunity to discuss the provisions of the National Planning Policy Framework. I welcome very much the rationalisation and simplification of our planning procedures that will follow from it. Nevertheless, the point of discussing a draft...

The answer to that is no, quite categorically. It is not going to be out of date but the NPPF will then be a matter that has to be taken into account alongside it. I hope that I have dealt with the more general aspects. If there are specific aspects...

The answer to that is no, quite categorically. It is not going to be out of date but the NPPF will then be a matter that has to be taken into account alongside it. I hope that I have dealt with the more general aspects. If there are specific aspects...

My Lords, the planning inspectorate will be responsible for issuing the certificates and also for ensuring that the fast-tracking of plans is put in hand.

My Lords, the planning inspectorate will be responsible for issuing the certificates and also for ensuring that the fast-tracking of plans is put in hand.

My Lords, it is always a pleasure to follow the noble Baroness, Lady Andrews, and it is always very difficult to follow a contribution as good as hers—but I will try. I agree with a great deal of what has been said on all sides in this debate. If the...

My Lords, it is always a pleasure to follow the noble Baroness, Lady Andrews, and it is always very difficult to follow a contribution as good as hers—but I will try. I agree with a great deal of what has been said on all sides in this debate. If the...

My Lords, I am very grateful to the noble Baroness, Lady Hanham, for creating this second opportunity to look at some of the complex, wide-ranging issues raised in the National Planning Policy Framework. I was impressed by her saying how important it was to have a positive planning statement and...

My Lords, I am very grateful to the noble Baroness, Lady Hanham, for creating this second opportunity to look at some of the complex, wide-ranging issues raised in the National Planning Policy Framework. I was impressed by her saying how important it was to have a positive planning statement and...

That the Grand Committee do report to the House that it has considered the Draft National Planning Policy Framework.

That the Grand Committee do report to the House that it has considered the Draft National Planning Policy Framework.

My Lords, the Government’s intention to hold a debate on the National Planning Policy Framework, consultation about which has just closed, was rather pre-empted by the Opposition in calling one last week. We have also had detailed discussions during the course of the Localism Bill, so we have had many...

My Lords, the Government’s intention to hold a debate on the National Planning Policy Framework, consultation about which has just closed, was rather pre-empted by the Opposition in calling one last week. We have also had detailed discussions during the course of the Localism Bill, so we have had many...

My Lords, I am grateful for the Minister’s broad sweep, particularly for the ideas underpinning the document. In contrast, I have a short contribution in only two areas of this wide-ranging document, but they are areas which are often neglected. I sympathise with the Government in trying to streamline planning...

My Lords, I am grateful for the Minister’s broad sweep, particularly for the ideas underpinning the document. In contrast, I have a short contribution in only two areas of this wide-ranging document, but they are areas which are often neglected. I sympathise with the Government in trying to streamline planning...

My Lords, I predict that this debate will fail to satisfy many people. None of us will be able to say everything that we want to say, and those outside this House with an interest will be frustrated that we have not been able to. I think that the Minister...

My Lords, I predict that this debate will fail to satisfy many people. None of us will be able to say everything that we want to say, and those outside this House with an interest will be frustrated that we have not been able to. I think that the Minister...

My Lords, I must first declare an interest as a farmer and landowner in Somerset. I would like to entitle my intervention ““The challenge of change in the countryside””. The challenges include the fact that our rural population is growing by about 100,000 per annum, which is faster than the...

My Lords, I must first declare an interest as a farmer and landowner in Somerset. I would like to entitle my intervention ““The challenge of change in the countryside””. The challenges include the fact that our rural population is growing by about 100,000 per annum, which is faster than the...

My Lords, the local plans will remain part and parcel of the requirements that people have to pay attention to. Those that have already been developed can and should be updated. That is going to be done on a fast-track basis. I said earlier that discussions were going on with...

My Lords, the local plans will remain part and parcel of the requirements that people have to pay attention to. Those that have already been developed can and should be updated. That is going to be done on a fast-track basis. I said earlier that discussions were going on with...

I may have been so cautious that I did not get my point across. I mentioned earlier that we have undertaken a great deal of consultation already, but consideration is being given to whether there should be further parliamentary discussion on the final document. That has not been decided, but...

I may have been so cautious that I did not get my point across. I mentioned earlier that we have undertaken a great deal of consultation already, but consideration is being given to whether there should be further parliamentary discussion on the final document. That has not been decided, but...

I thank all noble Lords for their contributions. It is the second time that we have had this debate in a week; it is remarkable how much the contributions have differed from the last time. A great deal has been added by what people have said and new areas have...

I thank all noble Lords for their contributions. It is the second time that we have had this debate in a week; it is remarkable how much the contributions have differed from the last time. A great deal has been added by what people have said and new areas have...

Before the noble Baroness sits down, can she just clear up one point that has been raised? Who will have the responsibility of issuing the certificates of conformity on those local plans and local government frameworks that have already been adopted?

Before the noble Baroness sits down, can she just clear up one point that has been raised? Who will have the responsibility of issuing the certificates of conformity on those local plans and local government frameworks that have already been adopted?

The noble Baroness has been very generous with her time, but, just for clarity, if there is a local plan which is otherwise bang up to date, would the introduction of the NPPF itself cause that to be out of date or incomplete?

The noble Baroness has been very generous with her time, but, just for clarity, if there is a local plan which is otherwise bang up to date, would the introduction of the NPPF itself cause that to be out of date or incomplete?

Lords debate on motion to call attention to the Government's consultation paper on proposed changes to the planning system. Motion withdrawn.

Lords debate on motion to call attention to the Government's consultation paper on proposed changes to the planning system. Motion withdrawn.

My Lords, in contemplating the consultation document on planning reform published by the Government, I start by saying that in principle, and in general, I am actually with the Government on this issue, although I may differ on a few points—the two most important being brownfield and on how local...

My Lords, in contemplating the consultation document on planning reform published by the Government, I start by saying that in principle, and in general, I am actually with the Government on this issue, although I may differ on a few points—the two most important being brownfield and on how local...

My Lords, I must begin, as did my noble friend Lord Greaves, by declaring an interest as a councillor on a local planning authority. However, unlike my noble friend, I have managed to spend 37 years as a councillor without ever serving on a development control committee, except perhaps for...

My Lords, I must begin, as did my noble friend Lord Greaves, by declaring an interest as a councillor on a local planning authority. However, unlike my noble friend, I have managed to spend 37 years as a councillor without ever serving on a development control committee, except perhaps for...

To call attention to the Government’s consultation paper on proposed changes to the planning system; and to move for papers. To call attention to the Government’s consultation paper on proposed changes to the planning system; and to move for papers.

To call attention to the Government’s consultation paper on proposed changes to the planning system; and to move for papers. To call attention to the Government’s consultation paper on proposed changes to the planning system; and to move for papers.

My Lords, I declare an interest in that I am a member of a local planning authority and the local development control committee in Colne, which is the Colne and District Committee. Perhaps I should think about retiring. I sometimes complain that your Lordships’ House does not spend enough time...

My Lords, I declare an interest in that I am a member of a local planning authority and the local development control committee in Colne, which is the Colne and District Committee. Perhaps I should think about retiring. I sometimes complain that your Lordships’ House does not spend enough time...

My Lords, I thank my noble friend Lord Rooker for introducing this debate and for enabling us to make representations direct to the Minister without having to fill in a consultation form. It is not surprising that the draft national policy framework has caused controversy. Planning decisions necessarily involve balancing...

My Lords, I thank my noble friend Lord Rooker for introducing this debate and for enabling us to make representations direct to the Minister without having to fill in a consultation form. It is not surprising that the draft national policy framework has caused controversy. Planning decisions necessarily involve balancing...

My Lords, there are a great many planning experts in this House, many of whom demonstrated their great skills and experience during proceedings on the Localism Bill over many days. Many of its amendments and debates focus on areas that are closely related to the current consultation on the national...

My Lords, there are a great many planning experts in this House, many of whom demonstrated their great skills and experience during proceedings on the Localism Bill over many days. Many of its amendments and debates focus on areas that are closely related to the current consultation on the national...

My Lords, I am most grateful to everybody who has participated in this debate. The message is one of a revising Chamber; the expertise that you would not have in the other place has been on display here today among everyone, and in particular in the noble Lord, Lord Rogers,...

My Lords, I am most grateful to everybody who has participated in this debate. The message is one of a revising Chamber; the expertise that you would not have in the other place has been on display here today among everyone, and in particular in the noble Lord, Lord Rogers,...

I am always in trouble on this—the debate on 27 October also will produce extra thoughts. I am encouraged by the comprehensive nature of the points brought forward today. However, I shall inevitably not be categorical in responding to any of the points raised today as this is still the...

I am always in trouble on this—the debate on 27 October also will produce extra thoughts. I am encouraged by the comprehensive nature of the points brought forward today. However, I shall inevitably not be categorical in responding to any of the points raised today as this is still the...

I am not sure I said there was no need for housing development. I said I felt there was an almost infinite demand and that to try to meet that substantial demand was probably optimistic.

I am not sure I said there was no need for housing development. I said I felt there was an almost infinite demand and that to try to meet that substantial demand was probably optimistic.

My Lords, I do not know whether I am the first to do so, but I congratulate the noble Baroness, Lady Stowell, on her appointment and welcome her to the Front Bench. I should also like to congratulate, as other noble Lords have done, the noble Lord, Lord Rooker, who...

My Lords, I do not know whether I am the first to do so, but I congratulate the noble Baroness, Lady Stowell, on her appointment and welcome her to the Front Bench. I should also like to congratulate, as other noble Lords have done, the noble Lord, Lord Rooker, who...

My Lords, this has been a fantastic and fascinating debate. There is always a depth of experience and wisdom around this House that very many people in other places will be jealous of. We pull together so much here that perhaps simply gets diffused elsewhere. I am enormously grateful to...

My Lords, this has been a fantastic and fascinating debate. There is always a depth of experience and wisdom around this House that very many people in other places will be jealous of. We pull together so much here that perhaps simply gets diffused elsewhere. I am enormously grateful to...

That is possibly right, which is why I want to refer to need as the basis of a housing programme. There is also the question of the duty to co-operate, which some of your Lordships have mentioned, and which I entirely endorse. However, there is no actual mechanism, either in...

That is possibly right, which is why I want to refer to need as the basis of a housing programme. There is also the question of the duty to co-operate, which some of your Lordships have mentioned, and which I entirely endorse. However, there is no actual mechanism, either in...

My Lords, the Draft National Planning Policy Framework is well on the way to becoming a sensible and civilised policy document. It secures a strong role for planning within the new localism. In the future that it envisages—provided local planning authorities have plans, local development frameworks, and provided those plans...

My Lords, the Draft National Planning Policy Framework is well on the way to becoming a sensible and civilised policy document. It secures a strong role for planning within the new localism. In the future that it envisages—provided local planning authorities have plans, local development frameworks, and provided those plans...

My Lords, I had not intended to take part in this debate, but I have been so impressed by the quality of the debate introduced by my noble friend Lord Rooker that I want to make one or two comments in this reunion of Planning Ministers. When we first came...

My Lords, I had not intended to take part in this debate, but I have been so impressed by the quality of the debate introduced by my noble friend Lord Rooker that I want to make one or two comments in this reunion of Planning Ministers. When we first came...

My Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend Lord Rooker for having created the opportunity for this debate. As noble Lords can imagine, as a planning Minister he was a rather difficult act to follow. For a long time, people were obviously disappointed that I was not my noble...

My Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend Lord Rooker for having created the opportunity for this debate. As noble Lords can imagine, as a planning Minister he was a rather difficult act to follow. For a long time, people were obviously disappointed that I was not my noble...

My Lords, while respecting what planning has achieved over the last 50 years, there is no doubt that it can still be improved: to encourage local people to get involved in the decisions that affect their lives; to reduce delays; and, indeed, to deliver the sustainable development that we all...

My Lords, while respecting what planning has achieved over the last 50 years, there is no doubt that it can still be improved: to encourage local people to get involved in the decisions that affect their lives; to reduce delays; and, indeed, to deliver the sustainable development that we all...

My Lords, this is a timely debate on one of the most contentious issues of the moment, and I am grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Rooker, for introducing it and doing so in an absolutely excellent speech. It is appropriate that this Motion should be introduced from the Benches...

My Lords, this is a timely debate on one of the most contentious issues of the moment, and I am grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Rooker, for introducing it and doing so in an absolutely excellent speech. It is appropriate that this Motion should be introduced from the Benches...

My Lords, I declare an interest in Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners and as a director of the River Café, Hammersmith. I join in congratulating my noble friend Lord Rooker on introducing this timely debate. I will discuss the effect that this national planning policy framework is likely to have...

My Lords, I declare an interest in Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners and as a director of the River Café, Hammersmith. I join in congratulating my noble friend Lord Rooker on introducing this timely debate. I will discuss the effect that this national planning policy framework is likely to have...

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment his Department has made of the relative legal weight of local development frameworks and the national planning policy framework.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment his Department has made of the relative legal weight of local development frameworks and the national planning policy framework.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what legal advice his Department has sought on whether (a) adopted and (b) post-examination local development frameworks will be technically out-of-date once the national planning policy framework is adopted.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what legal advice his Department has sought on whether (a) adopted and (b) post-examination local development frameworks will be technically out-of-date once the national planning policy framework is adopted.

(3) what assessment he has made of the adequacy of local authority resources to produce or update local development frameworks.

(3) what assessment he has made of the adequacy of local authority resources to produce or update local development frameworks.

(2) what (a) financial assistance and (b) other support his Department plans to provide to local authorities to update their local development frameworks;

(2) what (a) financial assistance and (b) other support his Department plans to provide to local authorities to update their local development frameworks;

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) what (a) financial assistance and (b) other support his Department plans to provide to local authorities which do not have a local development framework in place to introduce one;

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) what (a) financial assistance and (b) other support his Department plans to provide to local authorities which do not have a local development framework in place to introduce one;

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many officials in his Department worked on the draft of the national planning policy framework produced by the practitioners' advisory group.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many officials in his Department worked on the draft of the national planning policy framework produced by the practitioners' advisory group.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many officials in his Department worked on the draft of the national planning policy framework produced by his Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many officials in his Department worked on the draft of the national planning policy framework produced by his Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether he plans to put in place a fast-track procedure to approve existing local development frameworks to bring them up to date with the national planning policy framework.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether he plans to put in place a fast-track procedure to approve existing local development frameworks to bring them up to date with the national planning policy framework.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to replace the advice to local planning authorities in Planning Policy Statement 12: Local Development Frameworks; how this will be done; and what other guidance to local planning authorities will remain in place in relation to local development frameworks.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to replace the advice to local planning authorities in Planning Policy Statement 12: Local Development Frameworks; how this will be done; and what other guidance to local planning authorities will remain in place in relation to local development frameworks.

The Minister has artfully described what an LEP is. Can he tell us what an LEP does? That is the thrust of the question.

The Minister has artfully described what an LEP is. Can he tell us what an LEP does? That is the thrust of the question.

My Lords, I begin by thanking my noble friend Lord Lucas for raising the whole question of rabbits out of hats. I think that the answer was given to him by the noble Lord, Lord McKenzie of Luton: a question of time is a question for the usual channels. They...

My Lords, I begin by thanking my noble friend Lord Lucas for raising the whole question of rabbits out of hats. I think that the answer was given to him by the noble Lord, Lord McKenzie of Luton: a question of time is a question for the usual channels. They...