§ Mr. Marksasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to reach a decision on the Countryside Commission's order for the designation of the North Pennines as an area of outstanding natural beauty.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneConsideration of this order, and three others currently before my right hon. Friend, has been deferred pending publication of the Government's response to the Countryside Commission's review of general policy towards areas of outstanding natural beauty. We shall be making a statement on that very shortly and will announce our intentions concerning these orders as soon as possible thereafter.