HC Deb 14 July 1986 vol 101 cc325-6W
Mr. Ottaway

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he proposes to complete the revision and re-issue of circular 108/77, "Nature Conservation and Planning".

Mr. Waldegrave

We have had extensive consultations with other Government Departments, the Nature Conservancy Council and interested voluntary organisations concerning the revision of this circular announced in the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Mid-Kent (Mr. Rowe) on 27 January this year at column423 by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, the Member for Mitcham and Morden (Mrs. Rumbold).

It has not proved possible to complete the consultations as quickly as I had hoped, given the volume of comment. However, the large number of bodies consulted will ensure that this important topic is thoroughly and properly covered. Every effort is being made to conclude the remaining consultations quickly and we expect to publish the revised circular before the end of the year.