§ Mr. Shersbyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what will be the planning mechanism for defining green belt boundaries in and around the metropolitan county conurbations when the metropolitan county councils are abolished; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneGreen belt boundaries are defined in local plans. The powers of borough and district councils to prepare these plans will not be affected by the abolition of the Greater London council and the metropolitan county councils. Details of my proposals for the reallocation of planning functions in the metropolitan areas are set out in the consultation paper circulated on 10 October and it would not be appropriate to make a statement at the present time.