I propose to take Questions Nos. 549 and 585 together.
My Department has this week received a letter from the European Commission which seeks to verify whether the "local needs" test contained in a number of County Development Plans for the granting of planning permission for one-off dwellings in rural areas is compatible with Articles 43 and 56 of the EC Treaty which guarantee respectively the freedom of establishment and the free movement of capital.
The Commission has invited the Government to submit observations on the issues outlined in the letter within two months. Accordingly, I will study carefully the comments and matters raised and will respond to the Commission.