§ Mr. Harrisonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what arrangements he proposes to make for public participation in the development of metropolitan county area-wide planning policies in the event of the abolition of the metropolitan county councils.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneThe procedures proposed for the preparation of unitary development plans are set out in the paper on the revised proposals on the reallocation of planning functions in the Greater London council and metropolitan county council areas. These include procedures for public participation which are similar to those for the preparation of structure and local plans. In addition, any strategic guidance issued by the Secretary of State will be made public in a draft form and there will be an opportunity for comments to be considered before the guidance is finalised.