Examination of Witnesses

Part of Growth and Infrastructure Bill – in a Public Bill Committee at 12:00 pm on 13 November 2012.

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Nick Boles: I am afraid that I am not able to say now exactly what will be the measures of the criteria. We are hoping to publish them shortly—definitely before the Committee discusses the clause, so the Committee will have a full chance to investigate the measures that we propose. Unfortunately, as I am discovering as a baby new Minister, Government wheels turn somewhat slowly in making collective decisions. My ability to publish things is not quite as immediate as I might like.

Focusing on the hon. Lady’s authority of the City of Durham, it decided 71% of major applications in 13 weeks, and only 1.3% of those decisions were overturned. It is clear that that authority has absolutely nothing to  fear from the Bill, because on both measures, it is a good performer. It will be much worse performers than that that will be caught by the criteria. However, as I said, I am afraid that I cannot share the detail with her at this stage, because I would be shot if I did.