ABSTRACT
The Department of Environment has been rationalised in terms which would have been familiar to those involved in the planning conferences of the Second World War; indeed, it is, in effect, close to Abercrombie's idea of a 'suzerain ministry' for planning. It is intended to eliminate many kinds of conflicting and ill co-ordinated policies from central government's environmental planning. The Redcliffe-Maud Commission on Local Government in England, which reported in June 1969, also specifically claimed to offer rationalisations of government structures which would aid planning efficiency. Throughout the period from the late 1950s issues were developing in planning which were not, and could not be, covered by structural reform. The political theorist’s task is to explain and analyse as clearly as possible the ideological dimensions and dilemmas of environmental issues.
