asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what was the average time taken in Wales in the last year from the notification of an intended planning appeal to the time of the hearing and from the hearing of a planning appeal to the adjudication; how many adjudications of appeals are outstanding which have been heard in Wales more than three months ago; and what steps are being taken to expedite their adjudication.

24 weeks: 9 weeks: 12 cases. The time taken to clear cases has increased in the last few months due to staff shortages, but I am taking steps which I hope will shortly bring the figures down again.