HC Deb 16 April 1946 vol 421 cc2493-4
21. Mr. Keeling

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what steps have been taken in the last three months to ensure that the opencast mining near Wentworth Woodhouse does not damage this famous Georgian mansion.

Mr. Shinwell

I anticipate there will be no damage to the mansion through opencast operations.

Viscount Hinchingbrooke

Has the proposal put up by the miners' leader, Mr. Hall, for winning the coal by normal methods, come before the Minister? Has the Minister rejected it and, if so, on what ground?

Mr. Shinwell

The proposal to work the coal from underground came before the Department many months ago, and was rejected on technical grounds.

Mr. Skeffington-Lodģe

Can my right hon. Friend assure the House that all alternative means of procuring the coal which is to be obtained from Wentworth Woodhouse have been explored? Many people are exceedingly disturbed at the proposed despoliation of this charming oasis of natural peace.

Mr. Shinwell

Of course, every possible alternative has been explored. It is obvious that if we could have secured the coal by other means we should not have adopted this method. As to "spoliation," we are very anxious to prevent any undue disturbance, and indeed, we are going to do it.

Mr. Hoģģ

Before taking action of this kind does the Minister make it his practice to consult the Council for the Preservation of Rural England and other such bodies?

Mr. Shinwell

The decision to work the coal on the Wentworth Woodhouse site was taken by my predecessor, in consultation with the then Minister of Town and Country Planning. I have not consulted the organisations to which the hon. Member referred, but I have consulted the Minister of Town and Country Planning.

Mr. Eden

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that it is not a question of blaming this Government or other Governments? I think that the genuine concern is whether amenities that might be preserved for the enjoyment of the nation will be destroyed. How does the Minister explain the views of the Yorkshire miners themselves?

Mr. Shinwell

The right hon. Gentleman is ill-informed. The Yorkshire miners have expressed no opinion on this matter. Mr. Hall does not happen to be the Yorkshire miners but the President of the Yorkshire miners, speaking in his individual capacity. I have received no representations against the scheme from the Yorkshire miners or from the National Union of Mineworkers. On the contrary, some of the Yorkshire miners have written to me commending the scheme, in existing circumstances. Nor do I blame my predecessor for what occurred. I merely state the facts. Moreover, it is not for the right hon. Gentleman to complain about blame. I notice that he has been dealing with that subject himself.