HC Deb 11 July 1973 vol 859 c1509
10. Mr. Booth

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many applications for development area grants for the removal of slag banks for use by the construction industry have been received by the Department; and how many of these applications have been approved and to which processes have the grants related.

Mr. Graham Page

Much slag is disposed of commercially and no question of grant arises. In other cases, however, applications are made for derelict land reclamation grants for the treatment of slag banks.

There have been nine such applications; five have been approved in detail and two in principle; two are being considered. The reclamation schemes do not generally provide for any particular use of the material.

Mr. Booth

Does the Minister accept that the imminent serious shortage of aggregates and hardfill in the South-East offers a unique opportunity to remove many of the slag banks that disfigure development areas? What steps are the Government prepared to take to enable the Ormsgill slag bank to be shipped through Barrow Docks to areas where it could be used by the construction industry? Will the Government advise the British Transport Docks Board to delay any decision on the termination of commercial activity in Barrow Docks until the Government have taken appropriate decisions in this matter?

Mr. Page

In regard to the Ormsgill slag bank in Barrow-in-Furness, owned by the Millom Ironworks, the regional office in July 1970 gave Barrow County Borough Council outline approval for the reclamation of the 100 acres concerned but this has yet to be followed up. no doubt because of the high cost, which may exceed £1 million. But slag from iron and steel production is now almost all processed for industrial use instead of accumulating in heaps. as in the past. There is also our experimental dual tendering scheme for road building.