HC Deb 09 July 1992 vol 211 cc302-3W
Mr. Mackinlay

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to revise the structure of the regional aggregates working parties to include representation by elected members of mineral planning authorities and third-party interests.

Mr. Baldry

I will consider membership of the regional aggregates working parties when the present review of mineral planning guidance note 6 is complete.

Mr. Mackinlay

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a summary of the views expressed to his Department on the national aggregates demand forecasts by the regional aggregates working parties in the regional commentaries.

Mr. Baldry

A summary of the views expressed by the regional aggregates working parties will be made available when the revised draft guidelines are published for public consultation.

Mr. Mackinlay

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what new national forecasts of aggregates demand have been prepared for his Department since the publication of the document "Guidelines for Aggregates Provision in England and Wales Review of MPG6"; whether they will be circulated to the regional aggregates working parties for comment; whether they will be published for public comment; and whether they will be used in the preparation of a revised mineral planning guidance note 6.

Mr. Baldry

New forecasts of aggregates demand have not yet been finalised by the independent consultants. I shall consider whether they should be circulated when they are available.

Mr. Mackinlay

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations were made to him by the regional aggregates working parties on the environmental implications of the national aggregates demand forecast published by his Department.

Mr. Baldry

The views of the regional aggregates working parties on the environmental implications of the demand forecast were published earlier this year in their regional commentaries. These views will be taken into account by the Department in the preparation of the revised draft guidelines.