asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what machinery exists to enable an affected citizen to make known his views before his approval is given to a direction under Article 4 of the Town and Country Planning General Development Order 1963.

None, Sir. The effect of a direction is only to require that planning permission should be sought for certain kinds of development generally permitted without express consent. The judgment involved is whether the area justifies particular care. Those affected will have the usual rights of appeal if, after direction, permission for development should be refused.

Would not the hon. Gentleman agree that this is a disgraceful piece of legislation? Does it not very seriously limit the rights of the individual landowner? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a constituent of mine has been singled out for a direction under Article 4? Does not the hon. Gentleman consider that this might well be a case of victimisation of an individual and that my constituent is right to regard it so in view of the fact that no one else in the area has been served with a direction of this sort? Will the hon. Gentleman take steps to make it possible for the individual landowner to make his views known before a direction under this Article is served on him?

In most cases, where an Article 4 direction is justified, it is required in a hurry, but if the hon. Member's constituent puts in a planning application for what he would otherwise do and is refused, he can appeal and if he is still refused he gets the same compensation as if the permit is revoked. If the hon. Gentleman will send me details of this case, and if there are other factors in it, I will look into it.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that my constituent had been using his piece of land for the purpose which has been refused under the direction and that having to apply for planning permission inevitably involves delay, particularly if the case has to go to appeal? As a consequence, my constituent is likely to be seriously affected financially by this.

I cannot comment on an individual case without the facts. If the hon. Gentleman will send me the facts, I will willingly look at this.