§ Mr. Adleyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the discussions that have taken place between his Department, the Countryside Commission and the Hampshire county council concerning proposals to extract gravel from Pennington marshes, an area of outstanding natural beauty; and what is the current position.
§ Mr. MarksI understand that following discussions with the Countryside Commission, the Hampshire county council has decided to give planning permission for part of the development covered by the current application, subject to a number of provisos. One of these is that the Countryside Commission confirms that it will provide financial support for the acquisition of the site of the 1966 planning permission, including all mineral rights. We are currently considering an application from the Commission for authority to make this contribution.