<b><b>Will Howie assesses the skills of Lord Falconer and gives his view on the way forward for the planning system</b></b><br><b>In last month's issue of <i>HouseBuilder</i> both John Stewart and Robert Jones welcomed the government's changes relating to housing. They rightly looked forward to the forthcoming Green Paper and urged housebuilders to bring their influence to bear on the likely alterations in planning law. </b><br><b>Perhaps the most enticing change in ministerial personnel is the appointment of Lord Falconer as minister of housing and planning. True enough, he took a fierce hammering when he was in charge of the declining months of the Dome but, to my mind, having seen him in action at the despatch box, he carried his cross with considerable fortitude. Falconer is a skilled and persuasive debater and is seldom, if ever, bested in the Chamber.</b><br><b> In fact, he is at his best when he is wrong and dauntless when he is defending the indefensible. These are useful talents in a minister but there are dangers in them too. When ministers are in the wrong, they should sometimes give in and allow themselves to be swayed by the force of the argument. Unfortunately, that is not really Falconer's …