asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what reply he has sent to the organisers of a petition, signed by 61,000 Darlington citizens, urging him to make a speedy decision on the application for the erection of a supermarket and bowling centre at North Road, Darlington.

The petition was delivered by Councillor Clark of Durham county council who was advised by a letter dated 24th July 1978 that every effort was being made to arrange for a public inquiry at an early date.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to make a decision on the planning application for a supermarket and bowling centre in Darlington.

The Secretary of State's decision will be issued as soon as possible following the receipt of his inspector's report of the public inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the reasons for calling in the planning application from Messrs. Morrison's Superstore, when the plans have been passed by both the Darlington council and the Durham county council.

In his direction issued on 12th July to Durham county council the Secretary of State indicated that he would consider all planning aspects of the proposed development. The points which appeared to the Secretary of State to be relevant to his consideration include: