asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what progress has been made by planning authorities in their surveys of coastal preservation and development; and if he will make a statement.

The coastal surveys which maritime planning authorities were asked to carry out in 1963 are in different stages of completion. In January this year my right hon. Friend issued a circular asking the authorities to produce and publish maps showing areas to be protected. They will be doing this over the next few months. In addition to this, a series of regional conferences between the National Parks Commission and the planning authorities are about to start; their purpose is the formulation of longer-term coastal policies.