asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultations his Department has had with the Epping Forest district council and neighbouring local authoriries about the future management of Hainault forest, at present the responsibility of the Greater London council.

None, but on 29 March my Department issued a memorandum on the transfer of property, rights and liabilities' to bodies affected by transfers. This states that, in the case of cross-boundary properities such as the Hainault forest, successor bodies will be invited to agree a solution for inclusion in subsequent transfer orders.