To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will instigate an inquiry into the number of cases where the granting of agricultural licences has been followed by granting of planning permission for dwellings in the green belt areas; and if he will make a statement;(2) how many planning permissions for dwellings were given to owners of agricultural smallholdings in the years 1986–87 and 1987–88;(3) if he will instigate an inquiry into the number of cases where the sale of agricultural holdings has been used to obtain planning permission for a dwelling; and if he will make a statement.

Ninety eight per cent. of planning permissions are granted by local planning authorities. Information collected by my Department does not separately identify cases of the kind mentioned in the hon. Member's questions. Existing planning guidance about agricultural dwellings is in the annex to DoE circular 24/73.