§ 14. Mr. Simon Hughesasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on progress to date on consultations towards the establishment of environmentally sensitive areas.
§ Mr. JoplingAs I explained in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Chipping Barnet (Mr. Chapman) on 4 March, my officials are in close touch with the Countryside Commission and the Nature Conservancy Council, which are now carrying out a detailed analysis of the short-listed areas in England and Wales in consultation with the various organisations concerned. They expect to complete this work around Easter and will be making recommendations to me and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales by the end of April.