§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for what reasons copies of the draft regional planning guidance for the south-east were not available in public libraries until Thursday 18 May; if he will extend the deadline for replies to the consultation; and if he will make a statement. [125964]
§ Ms Beverley HughesBoxes of leaflets and documents were sent to all chief executives of local authorities in the south-east, requesting them to distribute the document and leaflet to their council offices and to their libraries. The documents were sent out on the first day of consultation, 641W 27 March 2000. It is the Secretary of State's opinion that draft Regional Planning Guidance for the south-east has been made widely available and that there is no need to extend the consultation period.