asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what reply he has made to the request by the National Association of Local Councils to grant an extension of time for the consideration of his Department's circular on development involving agricultural land.

I shall send my hon. Friend a copy of my reply to the National Association of Local Councils' request. There has been very lull public discussion of the matter since the draft circular was published on 9 February and I see no reason to extend the usual two-month consultation period.