To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he plans to hold any consultation with the countryside interpretation unit, based at the Open university in Milton Keynes, following his announcement to the Countryside Commission on 13 December, of new planning arrangements for environmental protection of the countryside.

On 13 December my right hon. Friend announced publication of draft planning guidance on "The Countryside and the Rural Economy", on which comments were invited by 19 February. The 310 or so responses so far received do not include one from the countryside interpretation unit, but it will be possible to consider any comments the unit wishes to make if these are submitted soon.