§ Mr. Iain Millsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to provide for a new category of green belt to protect certain vulnerable green corridors between cities and towns.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneNo. The purpose of green belt policy is to protect such vulnerable areas — for example, to prevent neighbouring towns from merging into one another. I am satisfied that, if applied correctly by local planning authorities, this is the most suitable mechanism for maintaining protection.