§ Mr. WatersonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received following the Countryside Commission recommendation to the Government not to designate the South Downs as a national park; and if he will make a statement. [45363]
§ Angela EagleMinisters have not yet received the Countryside Commission's formal advice on the future status of the South Downs; we expect to receive it later this month. We will need to look at the precise terms of the Commission's recommendations very carefully, together with all the information available, before taking any final decisions. We hope to be able to announce our conclusions in the autumn.