§ 20. Mr. Haymanasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is aware that in erecting their television transmitter in the Dartmoor National Park, the British Broadcasting Corporation damaged a Bronze Age barrow on the site, thereby violating a condition of planning permission imposed by his Department; and what action he proposes to take about it.
§ Mr. PowellThe question whether action should be taken in respect of a breach of planning consent is in the first instance for the local planning authority. My right hon. Friend understands that in this case the authority takes the view that the damage was superficial and inadvertent and proposes to take no action. He can find no grounds to justify his intervening.
§ Mr. HaymanWill the Minister bear in mind that the ditch around this barrow was destroyed, that the inner ring of split stones was completely obliterated and that a wooden fence was erected after the damage had been done? Does he not think that a great public corporation like the B.B.C. should obey the law, like any common citizen?
§ Mr. PowellI am advised that an Inspector of Ancient Monuments of the Ministry of Works reported that the damage amounted to negligible damage to the ditch and was of no archaelogical importance.
§ Mr. HaymanCan the Minister say whether the report referred only to the ditch and not to the inner ring of split stones?