Oral Answers to Questions

Angela Smith Excerpts

Monday 30th January 2012 Commons Chamber

[Grant Shapps]

My hon. Friend is right. Key is ensuring that local and sensible plans are in place to ensure that people can arrive at a town centre, shop and not be exposed to unreasonable charges. I encourage all local authorities to think about their local economy—something that should be much easier to do when they know that they are going to be keeping the business rates in future.

[Angela Smith (Penistone and Stocksbridge) (Lab)]

13. When he plans to publish information on transitional arrangements in respect of his national planning policy framework.

[The Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Greg Clark)]

We are committed to publishing the national planning policy framework by the end of March, having taken account the consultation responses, and the framework will include transitional arrangements.

[Angela Smith]

I am glad to hear the Minister say that, as there have been reports that the Government are minded to introduce a transitional period of 18 months. Will he confirm what the transitional period will be—how much time will be allowed? Will he also explain why Members and local authorities have had to learn some of the details from the media?

[Greg Clark]

I would be keen to understand that myself. We made a commitment that we would consult and listen to the responses, and the transitional arrangements were included. I gave a commitment to work closely with the Local Government Association on the transitional arrangements, and we are having those conversations.