HC Deb 26 July 1949 vol 467 cc2236-8
35. Mr. Mitchison

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning in what parishes and over what acreage of the Kettering and Brixworth Rural Districts are ironstone producers being allowed to continue working without any legal obligation under the Planning Acts to restore the land; and when he proposes to impose such an obligation.

Mr. Silkin

About 160 acres a year are being worked in these areas. Much of this is being restored voluntarily. Appropriate conditions requiring after-treatment will be imposed when the applications to continue working have been decided. Except for urgent cases, these applications will not be decided until a general policy has been formulated at the conferences. Such conditions will certainly include restoration of land now being excavated when that is right and practicable.

Mr. Mitchison

Is the Minister aware that he has been hatching that egg chronically for some years and acutely for about two years? Is it not about time this policy came out of its shell and was announced?

Mr. Silkin

It is only a relatively short time since mining operations came under planning control. Before that they were quite uncontrolled. We really must satisfy ourselves that the conditions we are imposing are such as will not cripple the industry.

Mr. Stokes

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that except in very deep cases, which are rare, there is no reason whatever why the land should not be restored?

Mr. Silkin

That is exactly what we are trying to ascertain in consultation with the industry. There are many cases where restoration will be prohibitive in cost.

Mr. Stokes

Very few.

Mr. Mitchison

Is it advisable to take the advice of a debtor when considering whether to collect the debt?

36. Mr. Mitchison

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether he will make a statement as to the meetings and progress of the two standing conferences on ironstone workings in the Midlands; and when he expects a report or advice from either conference.

Mr. Silkin

The producers' conference has met six times and I understand that detailed investigation by sub-committees is well advanced on a number of technical matters such as restoration to agriculture, afforestation and plant and machinery. Progress has also been made on the examination of the iron-stone resources and the question of the reservation of areas to meet future production needs is being considered. In a more limited field the landowners' conference, which has met twice, is giving valuable help on afforestation and similar problems. All these questions are highly technical and require much detailed examination. I cannot yet say when either Conference will be in a position to advise me of their conclusions on particular topics.

Mr. Mitchison

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that what is happening in Northamptonshire is causing a great deal of anxiety, and that people are getting impatient with these conferences, one of which has been going on since September and which was preceded by the original investigations of its chairman, Mr. Waters?

Mr. Silkin

The damage done is very slight, and I cannot be jockeyed into formulating a policy until I have all the necessary data. Perhaps Members opposite would prefer to make policy without the necessary data.

Mr. Harrison

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind the atrocious neglect in this direction over the years, and not be jockeyed into a position which does not take into consideration the many circumstances that must be borne in mind in matters of this kind?

Mr. Stokes

Are agriculturists properly represented on the producers' conference, or are the iron ore producers left to do their worst?

Mr. Silkin

They are helped.

Mr. Osborne

Is all this delay and muddle essential?