§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he proposes to publish amendments to the Town and Country Planning General Development Order 1977/289; and whether he proposes that all investigatory operations should be in a class of permitted developments under the order as recommended by Sir Roger Stevens.
§ Mr. Giles ShawProposals to amend the provisions on minerals in the 1977 order were issued on 19 April in a 191W consultation paper, a copy of which I am sending to my hon. Friend. The paper suggests that there should be a new class of permitted development for mineral exploration. Amendments to the order on matters other than minerals are also in preparation and will be subject to consultation.