Oral Answers to Questions

Bim Afolami Excerpts

Thursday 18th July 2019 Commons Chamber

[Chris Grayling]

No; the hon. Gentleman has completely misunderstood.

[Bim Afolami (Hitchin and Harpenden) (Con)]

T6. Luton Borough Council is the 100% shareholder of Luton airport, which yields about £26 million a year for the council. What action are the Government taking to address the conflict of interest, where the Labour-run Luton Borough Council frequently gives the airport permission to flout planning permissions that it has itself imposed?

[Chris Grayling]

I understand the sensitivity, particularly for local Members of Parliament and local communities who see that joint role. I reassure my hon. Friend that there are very clear statutory rules on how a local authority can and cannot act when it owns a piece of land that is subject to a planning application. I give him that reassurance that clear rules are in place.