Green belt status has never imposed an absolute ban on development. I quite agree that every case must be very carefully considered. As my hon. Friend knows, I have suggested that we should look at the metropolitan green belt and consider whether parts of it—perhaps up to 2,000 acres—might be suitable for housing. But this is out of an approved total of 610,000 acres and a proposed 725,000 acres, so I do not think there is any question of an attack upon the principles of the green belt.