§ 1. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Paymaster-General, in view of the continuing danger caused by disused mines and quarries being left unfilled and the waste of land caused thereby, if he will now take steps to remedy this by seeking powers to restore the relevant land to its pristine flatness and usefulness.
§ The Paymaster-General (Mr. Reginald Maudling)No, Sir. I have no reason to suppose that the present law regarding fencing is inadequate to protect the public from danger or that new powers to enforce the restoration of the land would be justified.
§ Mr. HughesDoes the Paymaster-General not realise that this is a very wide question and involves grave danger to children all over the country? These dumps occupy many acres which could be used for productive purposes, particularly the Dancing Cairns Quarry, about which I have had considerable correspondence with the Ministry and which has been the scene of many deaths. Will the right hon. Gentleman take power to get rid of this danger to children and adults all over the country, and in particular at Dancing Cairns, Aberdeen?
§ Mr. MaudlingNo, Sir. 1 think that adequate powers were conferred on the Government by this House in the legislation of 1954.