---

27 Oct 2004 : Column 1301W—continued

Planning Appeals

Mr. Lansley: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what proportion of planning appeals submitted to the Planning Inspectorate in (a) 2003 and (b) 2004 to date (i) have been and (ii) he expects to be determined within 30 weeks. [193348]

 
27 Oct 2004 : Column 1302W
 

Keith Hill: The information requested is not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, in 2003–04 the Inspectorate received 22,548 planning appeals (in England) and issued 18,914 decisions. 87 per cent. of the decisions issued that year were despatched within 30 weeks of receipt of the appeal. In 2004–05 (year to date—30 September) the Inspectorate has received 12,222 planning appeals (in England) and has issued 7,339 decisions. 79 per cent. of the decisions so far issued in 2004–05 have been despatched within 30 weeks of receipt of the appeal.

It is likely that over the year as a whole the proportion of appeals determined within 30 weeks will reduce. This is due to the considerable growth in the number of planning appeals received; in the first six months of the year receipts were about 23 per cent. more than in the same period last year.

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

Security Screen

Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission what the Commission's latest estimate is of the cost of the permanent security screen to be installed in the Commons Chamber. [193278]

Sir Archy Kirkwood: In the debate on the security screen on 22 April 2004, Official Report, column 467, the Leader of the House quoted a figure of £1.3 million. Although the design is still at a comparatively early stage the forecast has been reduced to £1 million. This figure includes the capital costs, designers' and surveyors' fees plus VAT. The estimate will be subject to formal review on completion of the design later this year.

---

---