asked the Secretary of State for the Environment in how many major planning inquiries during 1982 he overturned the recommendation of his inspectors.

Between January and September 1982 a total of 467 planning appeals, which had been subject to public inquiry, were decided by my right hon. Friend under section 36 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1971. The decision was contrary to the inspector's recommendation in only 16 of these cases. I regret that corresponding information cannot readily be made available for compulsory purchase orders and certain other cases under the Act.