§ 82. Mr. Keelingasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that, under the Memorandum of Procedure drawn up by the Electricity Commissioners for observance by applicants for permission to erect a generating station, only owners of land within 300 yards thereof and the local authority for the district in which the station is to be situated need be informed; and whether, in view of the far-reaching effects of a 981 big modern plant on amenities, he will amend the procedure so as to enlarge the area in which notices must be given and provide for neighbouring local authorities to be informed; and if he will arrange that in all cases the earliest possible information is given to the Ministry of Town and Country Planning.
§ Mr. ShinwellIn addition to the notices indicated by the hon. Member it is usual to require notices to be published in the " London Gazette " or " Edinburgh Gazette " as the case may be. Moreover, it has been the practice since the formation of the Ministry of Town and Country Planning to inform that Ministry of all proposals at the earliest possible stage. I am not aware that in general any difficulty arises in regard to these arrangements and I feel that requirements as to notices are reasonably adequate.
§ Mr. KeelingWhat is the good of the " London Gazette "? Does the Minister think it is right that the people of London and Middlesex should be polluted and begrimed by a nuisance from Surrey without being given the chance to ask the reason why?
§ Mr. ShinwellAs I have indicated, we have taken these matters up with the Minister of Town and Country Planning, who affords all reasonable facilities for such objections. I am not aware of the pollution to which the hon. Member refers.
§ Mr. StokesDoes the right hon. Gentleman not consider that the supposed injustices implied in the Question would be cleared away if he got my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to introduce a thorough-going tax on site values?