To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 27 March, Official Report, column 116, to the hon. Member for Don Valley (Mr. Redmond), and 11 May, Official Report, column 244, whether he will now announce the Government's intentions on common land legislation; and if he will make a statement on the reasons for delay in making this announcement.

I regret that my right hon. Friend has not yet been able to make the announcement referred to in the answers given on 27 March and 11 May. This has been due to the complexity of the issues involved and the need to consider the implications of the legal judgment given last month in the Hazeley heath case, and further representations received.