asked Her Majesty's Government:

On how many occasions Ministers and officials have met representatives of (a) the Fairfield Partnership and (b) the Town and Country Planning Association in the past five years. [HL4394]

On the information currently available to the Government, they are aware of officials having met with the Fairfield Partnership on four occasions over the past five years.

The Government can confirm that both Ministers and officials have met and continue to meet with the Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA). The TCPA provides support and works with Communities and Local Government (CLG) on policy related to housing and planning, and in particular over the last year has been working with the Government on the practical application of the key sustainability and development criteria for eco-towns. The TCPA plays no part in the assessment of individual eco-town schemes. The relationship with the TCPA is an ongoing relationship and involves regular meetings across CLG. Quantifying the number of occasions of these meetings could only be done at disproportionate cost.