§ Mr. McGradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the review of the area plans in respect of the Down and Newry and Mourne district council areas will be included in the Planning Service's business case for the financial year 1997–98. [5407]
Mr. MurphyResponsibility for this subject has been delegated to the Planning Service under its chief executive Mr. T. W. Stewart. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from T. W. Stewart to Mr. Eddie McGrady, dated 26 June 1997:
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your Question about the Down and Newry and Mourne area plans.As I explained in my recent letter of 20 June 1997 on this issue, the review of the Down and Newry and Mourne area plans is not included in the Agency's Business Plan for 1997–98, a copy of which is enclosed. I explained that the programming of work on both plans will be taken into account in accordance with competing priorities and available resources. At present, there is no agreed time-scale for the commencement and execution of the work.I do hope this further clarifies the position.