asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to announce the names of the new board of the Aycliffe Development Corporation.

My right hon. Friend will announce the names of any new members after he has carried out the necessary consultations.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that we have been given that sort of answer in reply to letters and communications to the Department for almost a year now? Does he appreciate that although it is statutorily different, the development corporation is regarded as the local authority by my constituents in Newton Aycliffe? Is he aware that this decision is very important, and is needed now? Will he get his ministerial colleagues to get their fingers out and make the announcement soon?

I assure the hon. Gentleman that the consultations will take place very soon, and that they will be completed at the earliest possible date.

The hon. Gentleman will be aware that the board at Aycliffe is the same as that for Peterlee New Town, in my constituency. Is he aware that there is considerable concern and despair about the delay in appointing the new board, and that that concern is not allayed by the kind of unsatisfactory correspondence which he sent to me? Will he make the appointments soon, and also take into consideration the fact that there should be more local representation that there has been hitherto?

I understand the hon. Gentleman's feelings. I assure him that my right hon. Friend is taking into account the desirability of some members of the board having local knowledge.