HC Deb 26 February 1952 vol 496 c935
31. Mr. Nabarro

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what steps he is taking to require full and proper restoration of agricultural land used for sand and gravel pit working.

Mr. H. Macmillan

Planning authorities can insist on restoration when giving permission for pits to be worked, but this is as a rule considered reasonable only if suitable filling material is available. General guidance on restoration was included in the Memorandum on the Control of Mineral Working published a year ago, but the special problems of gravel pits are being examined by the Advisory Committee on Sand and Gravel.

Mr. Nabarro

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind the extent of urban depredation of good agricultural land which is at present taking place, aggravated by this problem? Will my right hon. Friend take special powers or at least examine the problem further?

Mr. Macmillan

Yes, Sir. It is being examined by the special committee.

Mr. Philip Noel-Baker

In view of the great success of the restoration of land worked for opencast coal—

Mr. Nabarro

Nonsense!

Mr. Noel-Baker

—and the very much greater area devastated by working for gravel and sand, will the right hon. Gentleman really give the subject his attention and get something done?