§ Mr. LepperTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement about a timetable for public consultation on the long-term structure for the management of the South Downs; and if he will indicate the form that consultation will take. [16723]
§ Angela EagleAt our request, the Countryside Commission is carrying out the consultation on the long-term arrangements for the South Downs. A conference will take place in Brighton on 26 November to launch the consultation document and mark the beginning of the further debate on the future of the Downs. Copies of the consultation document will be available from the Commission's London office from that date. Copies will also be freely available at libraries within the South Downs and surrounding towns from the following week. Written views are requested by 12 January 1998 when the Commission will start its analysis, but any significant points made later in January can still be taken into account. The Commission will analyse the responses and bring the results and advice to Ministers next spring.