§ 3. Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on Government plans to assist local authorities that discover methane sites in their areas.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Environment (Mr. Tony Baldry)The Government have set aside £28 million in the current financial year for allocation as supplementary credit approvals to local authorities carrying out gas control projects at closed landfill sites.
§ Mr. VazI thank the Minister for the positive response of the Minister for the Environment and Countryside at a meeting at the Department yesterday afternoon, at which the Government gave Leicester city council permission to borrow £25,000 to survey the Appleton Park site in Rochney Mead. That will come as a comfort to local residents. Can the Minister give an assurance that the council will receive an equally favourable response next February, when it may ask for permission to borrow £400,000 to secure the site?
§ Mr. BaldryI am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his thanks.
The cost of subsequent remedial works will, of course, be eligible for supplementary credit approval. As was made clear by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment and Countryside, we shall consider such an application once the cost has been determined following the present survey.