To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 6 May, ref 111284, if he will propose an amendment to the law to allow parish and community councils to make representations about applications for a Goods Vehicles Operators licence regardless of whether they own or occupy land or buildings in the proposed operating centre; and if he will make a statement on the basis for restricting such representation to owners and occupiers of land and buildings. [112347]

The most effective way for parish councils to comment on applications for a heavy goods vehicle operators licence is to work with local authorities who have a statutory right to object. The Government launched The QUALITY Town and Parish Council Initiative, a framework for partnership working equipping local councils to take on a stronger role for the benefit of the local community, on 18 March.