§ 4. Mr. Ronald Bellasked the Minister of Power what is the approximate number of sites in England at present occupied by gas boards on which a gas board could, without planning permission specifically given under the Town and Country Planning Act, 1962, erect a gasholders more than 50 feet high; whether he will introduce legislation requiring specific planning permission for all structures over 50 feet high by gas boards; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreesonAbout 600, many of them fully occupied already by plant and buildings. As to the second and third parts of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Housing and Local Government to the hon. Member for Poole (Mr. Murton) on 27th April.—[Vol. 745, c. 344.]
§ Mr. BellIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the figure of 600 is a little alarming for those who are aware of what has happened recently in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire and that the Answer to which he refers said that the matter was being looked into? In view of the technical developments in the storage of gas which the North Thames Gas Board tells me mean that it will not 1253 need a gasholder above ground in its present programme up to 1971, would he agree that building a gasholder above ground must be an exceptional procedure for which there should be specific planning permission?
§ Mr. FreesonThe question of planning permission is for review by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government. We will consult that Ministry in so far as the Ministry of Power is drawn in on such matters. On the question of technological developments, it is true that the number of low pressure gasholders which will need to be built will be reduced, but there will still be a need for some holders in different parts of the country.
§ 26. Mr. Neaveasked the Minister of Power if he will give a general direction to area gas boards not to erect new gas holders until legislation, under which statutory undertakings may claim compensation from planning authorities, has been reviewed.
§ Mr. FreesonNo, Sir. This would not be appropriate.
§ Mr. NeaveAs the hon. Gentleman is very well versed in the case of Abingdon, would he not agree that the present law is most unsatisfactory with regard to compensation? Would it not be better to stop building all new gasholders and introduce early legislation?
§ Mr. FreesonAs the hon. Gentleman knows, I have a great deal of sympathy with some of the feelings expressed, but there are two points of view on what has happened in Abingdon, with which he has been closely concerned recently. It would not be appropriate to stop the building of all gasholders at this stage, because some will be needed between now and the time when there may be a reduction in their requirements with the development of North Sea gas. Planning law review is a matter for the Minister of Housing and not for my Department, although, if it touches on our field, we shall be consulted.
§ 27. Mr. Neaveasked the Minister of Power whether he will give a general direction to area gas boards to abandon old-style low pressure gasholders and instal modem high-pressure systems.
§ Mr. FreesonNo, Sir, but the justification for the additional expenditure involved in compression will be studied in each case.
§ Mr. NeaveIs not expert opinion now very much in favour of introducing high pressure storage instead of old-fashioned gasholders, would the hon. Gentleman agree with the very excessive figures produced by the Southern Gas Board about high pressure storage in the Abingdon case?
§ Mr. FreesonIt would not be right for me to comment on something which is the subject of extensive discussions. I hope that there will be satisfactory conclusions. With regard to expert opinion, as I said in reply to a previous supplementary question, the practice of installing high pressure storage instead of gasholders will grow, but there will still be a need for the latter.
§ Sir A. V. HarveyIs the hon. Gentleman aware of the grave possibility that two new gasholders will be erected to the north-east of Macclesfield? Will he go there and discuss this with the authorities, because there is grave concern?
§ Mr. FreesonWe will consider going there to discuss the matter, if necessary. I discussed this briefly on a recent visit to the North-West. The handling of this matter by the North Western Gas Board has been beyond reproach.