Topical Questions

Answer from Robert Jenrick (Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Propriety in the planning system is extremely important and I take my responsibility as Secretary of State very seriously indeed. The application to which the hon. Gentleman refers was highly contentious—all applications that come before the Secretary of State are highly contentious—and had been contested for many years. In fact, it had only come before Ministers in my Department and my predecessor in April because Tower Hamlets Council had itself failed to determine it. I took the decision in good faith and with an open mind. It is not unusual for a Secretary of State to come to a different conclusion from a local authority or planning inspector. All the relevant information relating to this matter is with the Cabinet Secretary, and we are considering further documentation that might be published while bearing in mind the legitimate interests of the parties involved.

Answer from Robert Jenrick (Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government)

My understanding is that the new discretionary fund would allow a business such as the one my hon. Friend raises to benefit from that. I know he has written to me in the past asking for further clarification, but I am happy to come back to him once again and ensure that that business has the clarification it needs to receive the funding it desperately requires at this time.

Answer from Robert Jenrick (Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Let us be clear about the circumstances here: all the parties to this application—that includes the Mayor of London, the applicant and Tower Hamlets Council—agreed to redetermine the case at my suggestion. The court consented to do that and that is now what will happen. My Department knew about my attendance at the event before I went to it. It knew about the fact that I had inadvertently sat next to the applicant. I did not know who I was going to be seated by until I sat at the table. I discussed and took advice from my officials within the Department at all times.

Answer from Robert Jenrick (Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government)

That was a matter of public record. It was referred to in the planning inspector's report that my Department received in November, so all parties would have been aware of that.

Answer from Robert Jenrick (Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I am happy to clarify a number of those points, the vast majority of which were factually incorrect. I understand that a Labour Member of the House of Lords did make an allegation to the police. That was swiftly assessed by members of the Metropolitan police, and they informed me that there were no criminal matters to investigate and they had no intention of taking it further. I would welcome the hon. Gentleman withdrawing that suggestion. I entirely stand behind the decision that I made. I made it with an open mind, because we want to see more homes built in this country and in particular in our capital city. This development would have led to 1,500 homes and 250 affordable homes.

Answer from Robert Jenrick (Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I am sorry to disappoint the hon. Lady with her pre-prepared question, but as she will have heard in my answer a few moments ago, the Department was fully informed of my attendance at the event. I discussed with my officials that the applicant had raised the matter. I advised the applicant that I was not able to discuss it, so I think I have answered her question comprehensively.

Answer from Robert Jenrick (Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government)

As is usual in cases when planning applications are re-determined, a different Minister in the Department will be chosen and will make the decision, and whenever that case comes forward, he or she will do as I did and approach this matter without any bias, with an open mind and do the right thing.