WEDNESDAY 3 NOVEMBER 1999

MS PATRICIA HEWITT, MP, MR BRIAN HOPSON AND DR ANN EGGINGTON

  320. Did not the Planning Minister actually say this? He said his Department had no intention of changing its land use policies. In that case why is the Competition Commission looking at it at all?
  (Ms Hewitt) I am afraid that is a question you would have to address to the Competition

Ms Hewitt) Not as far as I know.

  322. Dr Eggington, did he either discuss with you the terms of reference or any aspect of his inquiry before he announced it?
  (Ms Hewitt) Certainly not with me.
  (Dr Eggington) It is his decision how to proceed. I am not aware that he discussed it with our Department. I personally am not responsible for that particular strand of policy. I will let you know if there was any discussion, but the terms of reference are for him to decide.

  323. I understand that quite clearly. I am asking you for a factual response.
  (Dr Eggington) We will double check.

  324. If you could ask the Department if they were consulted in any way before that announcement was made and, if so, were they consulted about the terms of reference.
  (Dr Eggington) It would be normal not to consult, although it might be normal sometimes to inform, but I will double-check.

  325. If either of those happened I think it would be a matter of considerable interest to the Committee who are, after all, only seeking information.
  (Ms Hewitt) I will let you know.

  326. I thought Dr Eggington was the Director of the Competition Policy Unit.
  (Dr Eggington) I said I was a Director in the Competition Policy Directorate which has three strands.

  Chairman: We are very glad the Department has such a wide responsibility and carries it out with such vigour. Minister, thank you for coming to see us this morning.