85. Sir F. HALLasked the Minister of Health what were the circumstances under which. he gave permission for the erection of an oil storage depot and refinery on Canvey Island in connection with the distribution of Russian petrol in Great Britain; whether any protest in this matter has been received from the local authority of the area affected; and, if so, will he state what action has been taken as the result of such protest?
§ Mr. GREENWOODThe site of the oil storage depot is in an area for which the local council are preparing a town planning scheme. An appeal was made to me, as was permissible under town planning procedure, against the refusal of the local council to allow the proposed development, and a public local inquiry was held. I considered carefully all the representations in the matter, and came to the conclusion that I could not uphold the local council and granted permission for the development subject to conditions designed to obviate any detriment to the area. No question of Russian petrol entered into the decision. The local Council have protested but I cannot now reopen the case.