Anne Marie Morris (Newton Abbot) (Con): I am delighted to hear my hon. Friend's comments about parish councils. In respect of some of the urban areas, is he as pleased as I am that the neighbourhood forums that are to be introduced will give them a voice too?
Iain Stewart: I am delighted to endorse that point, because I was going to mention the urban areas, as well as town councils.
Anne Marie Morris: I note with interest my hon. Friend's comments about the business community. Does she agree that we should see it as part of these neighbourhood forums?
Nicky Morgan: Absolutely, particularly in relation to my constituency, which includes a large town, a smaller town and various villages. The employers, businesses and retail industry are critical to the area's success and we must see that they are fully engaged with neighbourhood plans. I particularly welcome clause 102, which requires developers to consult local communities before submitting planning applications for certain developments.
Anne Marie Morris: I absolutely endorse what my hon. Friend is saying. Does he share my concern that we must ensure that there is little red tape, because if there is too much red tape the right to take over services will become meaningless?
...
Simon Hart: My hon. Friend makes a good point. If there is one thing that drives those of us on the Government Benches in almost every measure that we consider, it is how we can make life simpler and easier for people in business and for everyday families. That is one of the major distinctions between the Government and their predecessors.