§ 14. Mr. Hurdasked the Minister of Town and Country Planning why he has advised the county planning officers that they should no longer consult the county agricultural executive committees when preparing proposals affecting agricultural land.
§ Mr. SilkinI assume the hon. Member has in mind the recent amendment to Article 9 (2) of the General Development Order under which planning authorities now consult with the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries instead of with the county agricultural executive committees. This change was made at the request of my right hon. Friend who wished to simplify the process of consultation by providing that planning authorities always go for advice to the one source—the Agricultural Lands Service.