Onshore Wind (Planning Policy)

Debate between Mark Prisk and David Nuttall

Thursday 6th June 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr Prisk]

Where no decision has been published, as would be the case for local planners at that stage in the process, planning inspectors will now have to give consideration to this change in the guidance.

[Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con)]

My constituents in Bury North will warmly welcome this statement. Many of them can already see a massive wind farm development over at Scout Moor, but it is very often the individual turbines going here, there and everywhere across my constituency that create a great deal of concern. Can the Minister confirm that these guidelines will apply to individual turbine applications, as well as those for large farms, which may already be affecting the landscape?

[Mr Prisk]

As I said earlier, we are trying to make sure that the principal concern people have about the impact, and particularly the cumulative impact, is properly and clearly set out in the guidance. That will make sure that decisions on the kinds of application to which my hon. Friend refers will be influenced in the same way.

Employment Law (Beecroft Report)

Debate between Mark Prisk and David Nuttall

Monday 21st May 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Prisk]

The Beecroft report does not relate specifically to COMAH, which is a specific area. We always want to ensure a careful balance, especially where health and safety issues are a special concern.

[Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con)]

Last Friday, I met various business leaders from my constituency. One of their major concerns was the complexity of employment law. May I urge my hon. Friend to take whatever action is necessary to simplify employment laws, cut red tape and get the unemployed back to work in my constituency?

[Mr Prisk]

Absolutely, and by making sure we revert to the position where someone has to work for an employer for two years and not one year before unfair dismissal procedures apply, we have already started down that positive path.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Mark Prisk and David Nuttall

Thursday 15th March 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con)]

Does the Minister agree that, regardless of the success of the one-in, one-out policy, the fact that European Union regulations are not included in it means that the overall burden of regulation on businesses is likely to increase?

[Mr Prisk]

We are alert to that danger, which is why we have ensured that we have the agreement of the Commission that, for the first time that I can recall, micro-businesses will be exempt from future European directives. I hope that my hon. Friend will welcome that change.