asked the Minister for the Environment whether he will direct all local authorities to adhere strictly to the statutory requirements relating to the issuing of permission under building by-laws within the proper time in view of the widespread disregard of this time limit and the consequent delay in the commencement of building operations, and, as a further consequence, the needless reduction of employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I understand that delays in processing applications for by-law approval by some local authorities, which were occasioned by industrial action and pressure of other work in recent times, have now largely been eliminated.