asked the Secretary of State for the Environment why his Department did not proceed with the planning appeal of Mr. H. J. Lattenay against the refusal of planning permission by East Devon district council at the expiration of the time during which that planning authority could make observations on the appeal, instead of allowing further time beyond the prescribed period for observations laid down by the Minister.

The council's statement was sent to the Department on the same day that a letter was sent to them warning that the appeal would be proceeding without it. In the circumstances it would not have been reasonable not to admit the statement. There is no legally prescribed period for observations on written appeals.