§ 40. Mr. Swinglerasked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many of the recommendations of the Turner Report on Mining Subsidence have not yet been implemented; and how many of them will require legislation.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Fuel and Power (Mr. L. W. Joynson-Hicks)None has been carried out except those to which the Coal-Mining (Subsidence) Act, 1950, gave partial effect; and all would require legislation.
§ Mr. SwinglerAs it is now more than five years since the generally accepted recommendations of this Report were published, has the Parliamentary Secretary abandoned all hope of implementing those recommendations and helping the citizens whose interests are being undermined; and if he has not abandoned all hope, when may we expect his Department to take action to implement these five-year-old recommendations?
§ Mr. Joynson-HicksWe never abandon all hope. The hon. Gentleman may recall that the matter has been under 687 consideration by the Departments concerned in conjunction with the National Coal Board. That consideration has now been reported to the Ministers concerned.
§ 43. Mr. Swinglerasked the Minister of Fuel and Power his estimate of the cost to the national exchequer of implementing in full the recommendations of the Turner Report on Mining Subsidence.
§ Mr. Joynson-HicksI cannot add to the answer which my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member on 30th November, 1953.
§ Mr. SwinglerHow long will it take, after the five years' consultation between his Department, the National Coal Board and other people concerned, to work out constructive proposals to implement the recommendations of the Turner Report? Can we have an assurance that it will not take another five years to find the money from the Treasury to assist these long-suffering local authorities and citizens?
§ Mr. Joynson-HicksWe shall move with the utmost expedition.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerWhat was the estimate of cost in the previous answer to which the right hon. Gentleman referred? If there was no such estimate, why cannot he make one now?
§ Mr. Joynson-HicksThere was no estimate in the previous answer because this was considered a matter not subject to a reasonable possibility of estimate. As time goes on the possibility becomes still more speculative.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerSurely it is easy to find out the cost which is imposed on local authorities by mining subsidence and which ought to be borne by the nation?
§ Mr. Joynson-HicksIf the right hon. Gentleman, with the knowledge which he has, will consider the matter further, I am sure that he will see that what cost will arise is entirely speculative.