§ Mr. Ron BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has received recent representations from the Scottish Ramblers' Association concerning the review of green belt boundaries by Lothian regional council; and if he will make a statement.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonBoth my right hon. and learned Friend and I have just received letters from the Ramblers' Association in connection with this review. A full reply to the points raised by the association in its letters will be sent shortly but its general concern is over our commitment to the green belt and I can confirm that the Government stand by the maintenance of effective green belts and want to establish confidence in their 299W permanence. The responsibility for the review itself rests with Lothian region and the districts who participated in the exercise. It is for the planning authorities concerned to decide how the green belt boundaries are drawn.