§ 63. Mr. Butterfillasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will issue a circular to local planning authorities now preparing local plans that, in considering what land should be released to meet housing targets, they should, wherever possible, avoid allocating for this purpose agricultural land or land with a high amenity value, but concentrate on releasing smaller units of land within, or immediately adjoining, existing settlements.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneMy right hon. Friend published, for consultation, a draft circular on land for housing on 12 July 1983. This includes advice on the matters raised by my hon. Friend. The circular will be published when we have considered the response to the consultation. I am sending a copy of the draft to my hon. Friend.