§ 28. Mr. Farrasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what criteria he will apply when considering applications to exploit mineral deposits in national parks.
§ Mr. Graham PageMy right hon. and learned Friend considers each case on its own merits, but a very strong case indeed is needed to justify new mineral workings in national parks.
§ Mr. FarrDoes my right hon. Friend pay attention to the criteria laid down 1295 by the Minister for Town and Country Planning in 1949 in respect of this matter, which said that exploitation must be absolutely necessary in the public interest, and that it must also be clear that no alternative source of supply is available?
§ Mr. PageHaving regard to the fact that some 16 of every 100 acres of land in England is either a national park or an area of outstanding natural beauty, it is not surprising that many important minerals are under national parks. It is manifestly right to require strong justification for those workings, but it is also right that each case should be tested on its merits.
§ Mr. David ClarkWhat co-ordinating machinery has the Minister established between his Department and the Department of Trade and Industry to discuss the implications of the Industry Act 1972, which would allow a 40 per cent. grant to be given for mining operations in many of our national parks?
§ Mr. KimballIs my right hon. Friend aware that most people feel that no minerals, apart from coal, should be mined here if they can be obtained anywhere else in the world?
§ Mr. PageThat may be, but we have recently been able to have an environmental success in dealing with the extraction, for example, of china clay on Lee Moor, where the company has undertaken to make environmental improvements and to do landscaping, which will greatly benefit the whole district.