§ Mr. HumeTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the rural planning review, giving details of the consultation which has taken place, and the factors which have delayed it; when he expects to have draft proposals ready; and when they will be expected.
§ Mr. AtkinsA major consultation exercise was held in August 1991 with the circulation of the leaflet "What Kind of Countryside Do We Want?". In addition during late 1991 representations of the Department's town and country planning service attended 20 public meetings or rural clinics organised by the Rural Development Council, the Rural Community Network and Community Technical Aid at which the issues raised in the leaflet were discussed. By spring 1992 over 100 responses, including a substantial report on the rural clinics, were received. The Department has carefully analysed these comments and in the light of the full response to the consultation exercise the Department has decided that there will be no publication of draft proposals. It is intended that the new strategy will be published in September.