Sir Julian Lewis: May we have a statement from a local government Minister about calculated abuse of the planning system – cases in which people knowingly proceed with projects without planning permission, and then apply for retrospective permission? Cash-strapped councils feel, on the advice of their officers, that they should grant that permission, as otherwise they might have to fight a legal case. Should there not be a presumption against granting retrospective planning permission when the offence has been deliberate?

[The Leader of the House of Commons (Sir Alan Campbell): I invite the right hon. Gentleman to raise the matter in an Adjournment debate, or indeed with the Backbench Business Committee – it has been raised by colleagues from across the Chamber – so that Ministers can not only hear what he says but respond.]