§ 4. Mr. Copeasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to announce his decision on the proposal to fill Chipping Sodbury quarry with rubbish.
§ The Minister of State, Department of the Environment (Mr. Denis Howell)I hope to be able to announce a decision in about a month's time.
§ Mr. CopeDoes the Minister realise that there is much more than local interest in this proposal? It involves his making a judgment on whether methods and safeguards for tipping have advanced sufficiently to put a monster tip, such as the one proposed, near a conservation area and an area of outstanding natural beauty.
§ Mr. HowellThis matter requires the judgment of Solomon, and I am quite capable of exercising it.
§ Dr. McDonaldWill my right hon. Friend state what the Government's plans are to deal with Thurrock's serious problems of abandoned quarries, in view of the Government's amazing refusal of derelict land clearance area status to Thurrock?
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. I have allowed the hon. Lady to ask her supplementary question, but if she wants to ask about Thurrock she ought to put down a separate Question.