§ Mr. AlexanderI beg to move amendment No. 9, in page 3, line 35, after 'disposal', insert
', except where the land or property is capable of beneficial use in accordance with the local development plan in which cases the land or property shall be transferred to governmental development agencies.'.This point is important but simple, so I can be brief. Until British Coal is dissolved and the Coal Authority comes into being, it is required to dispose of surplus land 249 on "the best terms". That phrase is not defined in the Bill, but it would be reasonable to assume that it means on the best financial return.Such a criterion is reasonable in many instances, but gives rise to concern when it is applied to the sale of land and sites that have clear potential for development and job creation for the benefit of local communities. That would be the case when their location is favourable for development. It is therefore important that the establishment of alternative uses is carried out as quickly as possible in areas where coal mining activity has been run down.
Economic revival must be the principal aim of Government development agencies—the Welsh Development Agency is a perfect example—but it is not within the remit of British Coal or the new Coal Authority as presently constituted. Transfer of developable sites to those bodies would ensure their most efficient and effective return to beneficial use and avoid perpetuating the failures of the current disposal mechanisms. To leave the Bill referring simply to "the best terms" would, I believe, perpetuate that unfortunate situation. Sites can lie derelict for many years while British Coal wrangles and argues with developers and planners in its attempt to maximise financial return. We have an example of this in my county of Nottinghamshire. I refer to the Babbington colliery—a prime site which is next to a motorway junction and has been a derelict eyesore for the past eight years.
My amendment would avoid such a situation, and I commend it to the House and to the Minister.
§ Mr. TippingWe should always remember that, after the Church of England, British Coal is the biggest property owner in this country. We must ensure that the property is put to good use. Coalfield communities want new investment, new jobs and a new future. The way to provide those things is to concentrate on infrastructure, infrastructure and infrastructure. The purpose of the amendment is to ensure that British Coal's property can be developed for the creation of new jobs. And new jobs are badly needed if coalfield communities in Nottinghamshire and elsewhere are to be given a fair chance and a fair start.
The hon. Member for Newark (Mr. Alexander) talked, quite rightly, about the Babbington colliery, which is a prime site close to a motorway. It could be used for the creation of many hundreds of jobs, yet it has stood empty for eight years because British Coal and its partners wish to take whatever profit they can out of it.
The amendment is about cutting the red tape and ensuring that the large property owner, British Coal, gives back to coalfield communities some of the many benefits that it derived from them over many years. We want new investment, new jobs and a new future for coalfield communities—things which can be secured through the amendment.
§ Mrs. PeacockI reiterate what my hon. Friend the Member for Newark (Mr. Alexander) has said. Of course we recognise that British Coal is required to dispose of land on the best possible terms, but that may not always mean the best possible money in the short term. I emphasise that it should mean what is best in the longer term for communities that will rely, for jobs, on the land 250 when it has been disposed of. Short-term cash is not always best. I hope that the Minister will bear that in mind as the Bill proceeds.
Mr. O'NeillThis debate comes hard on the heels of the debate on British Coal Enterprise. We know the nature of the problems with which we are confronted. We realise that one of the major obstacles to industrial development, apart from the absence of financial assistance, is the non-availability of property and sites when and where they are needed. As has been said already, British Coal is one of the biggest landowners in the United Kingdom. The disposal of its assets is one of the prizes that those who seek to take it over will wish to seize. We believe that these assets should be made available to public agencies so that they may be put to use as quickly as possible.
Yesterday's men at Hobart house have failed in their property dealings. If structural improvements of the kind that we want are to be secured, an amendment of this nature must provide a means of creating jobs on new sites as quickly as possible. As the amendment enjoys all-party support and has local government backing, it is one of the best ways of achieving what is needed. I therefore urge Conservative Members to join my hon. Friends in the Lobby at the earliest opportunity.
§ Mr. AshtonSubsidence has not yet been mentioned. The land around a mine may look perfect for development, but the first thing any developer will want to know will always be: has there been any subsidence in the area, no matter how long ago? If there has been any, that is often enough to put an interested developer off for good. Subsidence—not planning—blight ensues.
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If land has to stand empty for years because developers fear subsidence, it is crazy to leave it alone. It is much better if the council can turn it into a playing field or park, perhaps landscaping a canal or a disused railway line for leisure pursuits. A local need can thus be met even if the Coal Authority cannot sell the land.
§ Mr. EggarThe amendment would require the Coal Authority to transfer land and property to general governmental development agencies when the land and property in question are capable of beneficial use in accordance with the local development plan.
The amendment would have some curious effects, however. For instance, if the land has been farmed for several years but is owned by British Coal, it would make no sense to force its disposal to governmental agencies. The amendment is thus seriously flawed.
The Bill is structured to ensure that there is a duty on the Coal Authority to dispose of such of its land and property as is not required, broadly speaking, for coal mining. That new duty will make it much more difficult, if not impossible, to hoard land—a tendency of the past, including in the north-east, which has come in for criticism. Under the Bill, there can be no question of hoarding land. The clear intention is that land and property should be released for beneficial use.
The authority has the power to develop land. It can do so together with the local authority, or with English Estates, or with a private sector operator. There is a great deal of flexibility, and the authority has the power to enter into any form of partnership that seems right. Planning permission—I hope that this will reassure my hon. Friend 251 —would be needed. Such permission is not readily granted if it does not fit in with the local authority's local development plan. The local authority would therefore have an influence on the use of the land, through the planning process.
In view of these assurances, I trust that my hon. Friend will feel able to withdraw his amendment.
§ Mr. AlexanderMy hon. Friend has given me four separate assurances to meet the concerns that my amendment raised. I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment.
§ Madam Deputy SpeakerIs it your pleasure that the amendment be withdrawn?
§ Question put, That the amendment be made:—
§ The House divided: Ayes 266, Noes 300.
254| Division No. 177] | [11.49 pm |
| AYES | |
| Abbott, Ms Diane | Cryer, Bob |
| Adams, Mrs Irene | Cunliffe, Lawrence |
| Ainger, Nick | Cunningham, Jim (Covy SE) |
| Ainsworth, Robert (Cov'try NE) | Dalyell, Tam |
| Allen, Graham | Darling, Alistair |
| Anderson, Donald (Swansea E) | Davidson, Ian |
| Anderson, Ms Janet (Ros'dale) | Davies, Bryan (Oldham C'tral) |
| Armstrong, Hilary | Davies, Rt Hon Denzil (Llanelli) |
| Ashton, Joe | Davies, Ron (Caerphilly) |
| Austin-Walker, John | Davis, Terry (B'ham, H'dge H'l) |
| Banks, Tony (Newham NW) | Dewar, Donald |
| Barnes, Harry | Dixon, Don |
| Barron, Kevin | Dobson, Frank |
| Battle, John | Donohoe, Brian H. |
| Bayley, Hugh | Dowd, Jim |
| Beckett, Rt Hon Margaret | Dunnachie, Jimmy |
| Beith, Rt Hon A. J. | Dunwoody, Mrs Gwyneth |
| Bell, Stuart | Eagle, Ms Angela |
| Benn, Rt Hon Tony | Eastham, Ken |
| Bennett, Andrew F, | Enright, Derek |
| Benton, Joe | Etherington, Bill |
| Berry, Dr. Roger | Evans, David (Welwyn Hatfield) |
| Betts, Clive | Evans, John (St Helens N) |
| Blair, Tony | Fatchett, Derek |
| Blunkett, David | Faulds, Andrew |
| Boateng, Paul | Field, Frank (Birkenhead) |
| Boyes, Roland | Flynn, Paul |
| Bradley, Keith | Foster, Rt Hon Derek |
| Bray, Dr Jeremy | Foulkes, George |
| Brown, Gordon (Dunfermline E) | Fraser, John |
| Brown, N. (N'c'tle upon Tyne E) | Fyfe, Maria |
| Burden, Richard | Galbraith, Sam |
| Byers, Stephen | Galloway, George |
| Caborn, Richard | Gapes, Mike |
| Callaghan, Jim | Garrett, John |
| Campbell, Mrs Anne (C'bridge) | George, Bruce |
| Campbell, Menzies (Fife NE) | Gerrard, Neil |
| Campbell-Savours, D. N. | Godman, Dr Norman A. |
| Canavan, Dennis | Godsiff, Roger |
| Cann, Jamie | Golding, Mrs Llin |
| Chisholm, Malcolm | Gordon, Mildred |
| Clapham, Michael | Graham, Thomas |
| Clark, Dr David (South Shields) | Grant, Bernie (Tottenham) |
| Clarke, Eric (Midlothian) | Griffiths, Nigel (Edinburgh S) |
| Clelland, David | Griffiths, Win (Bridgend) |
| Clwyd, Mrs Ann | Grocott, Bruce |
| Coffey, Ann | Gunnell, John |
| Cohen, Harry | Hain, Peter |
| Connarty, Michael | Hall, Mike |
| Cook, Frank (Stockton N) | Hanson, David |
| Cook, Robin (Livingston) | Hardy, Peter |
| Corbett, Robin | Harman, Ms Harriet |
| Corbyn, Jeremy | Harvey, Nick |
| Corston, Ms Jean | Hattersley, Rt Hon Roy |
| Cousins, Jim | Henderson, Doug |
| Heppell, John | Murphy, Paul |
| Hill, Keith (Streatham) | O'Brien, Michael (N W'kshire) |
| Hinchliffe, David | O'Brien, William (Normanton) |
| Hoey, Kate | Olner, William |
| Hogg, Norman (Cumbernauld) | O'Neill, Martin |
| Home Robertson, John | Orme, Rt Hon Stanley |
| Hood, Jimmy | Parry, Robert |
| Hoon, Geoffrey | Patchett, Terry |
| Howarth, George (Knowsley N) | Pendry, Tom |
| Howells, Dr. Kim (Pontypridd) | Pickthall, Colin |
| Hoyle, Doug | Pike, Peter L. |
| Hughes, Kevin (Doncaster N) | Pope, Greg |
| Hughes, Robert (Aberdeen N) | Powell, Ray (Ogmore) |
| Hughes, Roy (Newport E) | Prentice, Ms Bridget (Lew'm E) |
| Hughes, Simon (Southwark) | Prentice, Gordon (Pendle) |
| Hutton, John | Prescott, John |
| Illsley, Eric | Primarolo, Dawn |
| Ingram, Adam | Purchase, Ken |
| Jackson, Glenda (H'stead) | Quin, Ms Joyce |
| Jackson, Helen (Shef'ld, H) | Radice, Giles |
| Jamieson, David | Randall, Stuart |
| Janner, Greville | Raynsford, Nick |
| Jones, Barry (Alyn and D'side) | Redmond, Martin |
| Jones, Ieuan Wyn (Ynys Môn) | Reid, Dr John |
| Jones, Jon Owen (Cardiff C) | Rendel, David |
| Jones, Lynne (B'ham S O) | Robertson, George (Hamilton) |
| Jones, Martyn (Clwyd, SW) | Robinson, Geoffrey (Co'try NW) |
| Jones, Nigel (Cheltenham) | Roche, Mrs. Barbara |
| Jowell, Tessa | Rogers, Allan |
| Kaufman, Rt Hon Gerald | Rooker, Jeff |
| Keen, Alan | Rooney, Terry |
| Kennedy, Charles (Ross, C&S) | Rowlands, Ted |
| Kennedy, Jane (Lpool Brdgn) | Ruddock, Joan |
| Khabra, Piara S. | Salmond, Alex |
| Kilfoyle, Peter | Sedgemore, Brian |
| Kinnock, Rt Hon Neil (Islwyn) | Sheerman, Barry |
| Kirkwood, Archy | Sheldon, Rt Hon Robert |
| Lewis, Terry | Short, Clare |
| Litherland, Robert | Simpson, Alan |
| Livingstone, Ken | Skinner, Dennis |
| Lloyd, Tony (Stratford) | Smith, Andrew (Oxford E) |
| Llwyd, Elfyn | Smith, C. (Isl'ton S & F'sbury) |
| Loyden, Eddie | Smith, Llew (Blaenau Gwent) |
| Lynne, Ms Liz | Snape, Peter |
| McAllion, John | Soley, Clive |
| McAvoy, Thomas | Spearing, Nigel |
| McCartney, Ian | Spellar, John |
| McCrea, Rev William | Squire, Rachel (Dunfermline W) |
| Macdonald, Calum | Steinberg, Gerry |
| McFall, John | Stevenson, George |
| McKelvey, William | Stott, Roger |
| Mackinlay, Andrew | Strang, Dr. Gavin |
| McLeish, Henry | Straw, Jack |
| McMaster, Gordon | Taylor, Mrs Ann (Dewsbury) |
| McNamara, Kevin | Thompson, Jack (Wansbeck) |
| McWilliam, John | Turner, Dennis |
| Madden, Max | Vaz, Keith |
| Maddock, Mrs Diana | Walker, Rt Hon Sir Harold |
| Mahon, Alice | Wallace, James |
| Mandelson, Peter | Walley, Joan |
| Marek, Dr John | Wardell, Gareth (Gower) |
| Marshall, David (Shettleston) | Wareing, Robert N |
| Marshall, Jim (Leicester, S) | Watson, Mike |
| Martin, Michael J. (Springburn) | Welsh, Andrew |
| Martlew, Eric | Wicks, Malcolm |
| Maxton, John | Wigley, Dafydd |
| Meacher, Michael | Williams, Rt Hon Alan (Sw'n W) |
| Michael, Alun | Williams, Alan W (Carmarthen) |
| Michie, Bill (Sheffield Heeley) | Wilson, Brian |
| Michie, Mrs Ray (Argyll Bute) | Winnick, David |
| Milburn, Alan | Wise, Audrey |
| Miller, Andrew | Worthington, Tony |
| Mitchell, Austin (Gt Grimsby) | Wray, Jimmy |
| Moonie, Dr Lewis | Wright, Dr Tony |
| Morgan, Rhodri | Young, David (Bolton SE) |
| Morley, Elliot | |
| Morris, Rt Hon A. (Wy'nshawe) | Tellers for the Ayes: |
| Morris, Estelle (B'ham Yardley) | Mr. Alan Meale and Mr. John Cummings. |
| Mudie, George | |
| Mullin, Chris |
| NOES | |
| Ainsworth, Peter (East Surrey) | Dunn, Bob |
| Aitken, Jonathan | Durant, Sir Anthony |
| Alexander, Richard | Dykes, Hugh |
| Alison, Rt Hon Michael (Selby) | Eggar, Tim |
| Allason, Rupert (Torbay) | Elletson, Harold |
| Amess, David | Emery, Rt Hon Sir Peter |
| Arbuthnot, James | Evans, David (Welwyn Hatfield) |
| Arnold, Jacques (Gravesham) | Evans, Jonathan (Brecon) |
| Ashby, David | Evans, Nigel (Ribble Valley) |
| Aspinwall, Jack | Evans, Roger (Monmouth) |
| Atkins, Robert | Evennett, David |
| Atkinson, David (Bour'mouth E) | Fabricant, Michael |
| Atkinson, Peter (Hexham) | Fairbaim, Sir Nicholas |
| Baker, Rt Hon K. (Mole Valley) | Fenner, Dame Peggy |
| Baker, Nicholas (Dorset North) | Field, Barry (Isle of Wight) |
| Baldry, Tony | Fishburn, Dudley |
| Banks, Matthew (Southport) | Forman, Nigel |
| Banks, Robert (Harrogate) | Forsyth, Michael (Stirling) |
| Bates, Michael | Forth, Eric |
| Batiste, Spencer | Fowler, Rt Hon Sir Norman |
| Bellingham, Henry | Fox, Dr Liam (Woodspring) |
| Bendall, Vivian | Fox, Sir Marcus (Shipley) |
| Beresford, Sir Paul | Freeman, Rt Hon Roger |
| Biffen, Rt Hon John | French, Douglas |
| Body, Sir Richard | Fry, Sir Peter |
| Bonsor, Sir Nicholas | Gale, Roger |
| Booth, Hartley | Gallie, Phil |
| Boswell, Tim | Gardiner, Sir George |
| Bottomley, Peter (Eltham) | Garnier, Edward |
| Bottomley, Rt Hon Virginia | Gill, Christopher |
| Bowden, Andrew | Gillan, Cheryl |
| Bowis, John | Goodlad, Rt Hon Alastair |
| Boyson, Rt Hon Sir Rhodes | Goodson-Wickes, Dr Charles |
| Brandreth, Gyles | Gorman, Mrs Teresa |
| Brazier, Julian | Gorst, John |
| Bright, Graham | Grant, Sir A. (Cambs SW) |
| Brooke, Rt Hon Peter | Greenway, Harry (Ealing N) |
| Brown, M. (Brigg & Cl'thorpes) | Greenway, John (Ryedale) |
| Browning, Mrs. Angela | Griffiths, Peter (Portsmouth, N) |
| Bruce, Ian (S Dorset) | Grylls, Sir Michael |
| Budgen, Nicholas | Hague, William |
| Burns, Simon | Hamilton, Rt Hon Sir Archie |
| Butler, Peter | Hamilton, Neil (Tatton) |
| Butterfill, John | Hampson, Dr Keith |
| Carlisle, John (Luton North) | Hanley, Jeremy |
| Carlisle, Kenneth (Lincoln) | Hannam, Sir John |
| Carrington, Matthew | Hargreaves, Andrew |
| Carttiss, Michael | Harris, David |
| Cash, William | Haselhurst, Alan |
| Chapman, Sydney | Hawkins, Nick |
| Churchill, Mr | Hawksley, Warren |
| Clappison, James | Hayes, Jerry |
| Clark, Dr Michael (Rochford) | Heald, Oliver |
| Clarke, Rt Hon Kenneth (Ruclif) | Hendry, Charles |
| Clifton-Brown, Geoffrey | Hicks, Robert |
| Coe, Sebastian | Higgins, Rt Hon Sir Terence L. |
| Colvin, Michael | Hogg, Rt Hon Douglas (G'tham) |
| Congdon, David | Horam, John |
| Conway, Derek | Hordern, Rt Hon Sir Peter |
| Coombs, Anthony (Wyre For'st) | Howarth, Alan (Strat'rd-on-A) |
| Coombs, Simon (Swindon) | Howell, Rt Hon David (G'dford) |
| Cope, Rt Hon Sir John | Howell, Sir Ralph (N Norfolk) |
| Cormack, Patrick | Hunt, Rt Hon David (Wirral W) |
| Couchman, James | Hunt, Sir John (Ravensbourne) |
| Cran, James | Hunter, Andrew |
| Currie, Mrs Edwina (S D'by'ire) | Jack, Michael |
| Curry, David (Skipton & Ripon) | Jackson, Robert (Wantage) |
| Davies, Quentin (Stamford) | Jenkin, Bernard |
| Davis, David (Boothferry) | Jessel, Toby |
| Day, Stephen | Johnson Smith, Sir Geoffrey |
| Deva, Nirj Joseph | Jones, Gwilym (Cardiff N) |
| Devlin, Tim | Jones, Robert B. (W Hertfdshr) |
| Dickens, Geoffrey | Jopling, Rt Hon Michael |
| Dorrell, Stephen | Kellett-Bowman, Dame Elaine |
| Douglas-Hamilton, Lord James | Key, Robert |
| Dover, Den | Kilfedder, Sir James |
| Duncan, Alan | King, Rt Hon Tom |
| Duncan-Smith, Iain | Kirkhope, Timothy |
| Knapman, Roger | Rowe, Andrew (Mid Kent) |
| Knight, Mrs Angela (Erewash) | Rumbold, Rt Hon Dame Angela |
| Knight, Greg (Derby N) | Ryder, Rt Hon Richard |
| Knight, Dame Jill (Bir'm E'st'n) | Sackville, Tom |
| Knox, Sir David | Sainsbury, Rt Hon Tim |
| Kynoch, George (Kincardine) | Scott, Rt Hon Nicholas |
| Lait, Mrs Jacqui | Shaw, David (Dover) |
| Lang, Rt Hon Ian | Shaw, Sir Giles (Pudsey) |
| Lawrence, Sir Ivan | Shepherd, Colin (Hereford) |
| Legg, Barry | Shepherd, Richard (Aldridge) |
| Leigh, Edward | Shersby, Michael |
| Lennox-Boyd, Mark | Sims, Roger |
| Lester, Jim (Broxtowe) | Skeet, Sir Trevor |
| Lidington, David | Smith, Sir Dudley (Warwick) |
| Lightbown, David | Speed, Sir Keith |
| Lilley, Rt Hon Peter | Spencer, Sir Derek |
| Lloyd, Rt Hon Peter (Fareham) | Spicer, Sir James (W Dorset) |
| Lord, Michael | Spicer, Michael (S Worcs) |
| Luff, Peter | Spink, Dr Robert |
| Lyell, Rt Hon Sir Nicholas | Spring, Richard |
| MacGregor, Rt Hon John | Sproat, Iain |
| MacKay, Andrew | Squire, Robin (Hornchurch) |
| Maclean, David | Stanley, Rt Hon Sir John |
| McLoughlin, Patrick | Steen, Anthony |
| McNair-Wilson, Sir Patrick | Stephen, Michael |
| Madel, Sir David | Stern, Michael |
| Maitland, Lady Olga | Stewart, Allan |
| Malone, Gerald | Streeter, Gary |
| Mans, Keith | Sumberg, David |
| Marland, Paul | Sweeney, Walter |
| Marlow, Tony | Sykes, John |
| Marshall, John (Hendon S) | Tapsell, Sir Peter |
| Martin, David (Portsmouth S) | Taylor, Ian (Esher) |
| Mates, Michael | Taylor, John M. (Solihull) |
| Mawhinney, Rt Hon Dr Brian | Taylor, Sir Teddy (Southend, E) |
| Merchant, Piers | Temple-Morris, Peter |
| Mills, Iain | Thomason, Roy |
| Mitchell, Andrew (Gedling) | Thompson, Sir Donald (C'er V) |
| Mitchell, Sir David (Hants NW) | Thompson, Patrick (Norwich N) |
| Moate, Sir Roger | Thomton, Sir Malcolm |
| Monro, Sir Hector | Thurnham, Peter |
| Montgomery, Sir Fergus | Townend, John (Bridlington) |
| Moss, Malcolm | Townsend, Cyril D. (Bexl'yh'th) |
| Needham, Richard | Tracey, Richard |
| Nelson, Anthony | Tredinnick, David |
| Neubert, Sir Michael | Trend, Michael |
| Newton, Rt Hon Tony | Twinn, Dr Ian |
| Nicholls, Patrick | Vaughan, Sir Gerard |
| Nicholson, David (Taunton) | Viggers, Peter |
| Nicholson, Emma (Devon West) | Walden, George |
| Norn's, Steve | Walker, Bill (N Tayside) |
| Onslow, Rt Hon Sir Cranley | Waller, Gary |
| Oppenheim, Phillip | Ward, John |
| Ottaway, Richard | Wardle, Charles (Bexhill) |
| Page, Richard | Waterson, Nigel |
| Paice, James | Watts, John |
| Patten, Rt Hon John | Wells, Bowen |
| Pattie, Rt Hon Sir Geoffrey | Wheeler, Rt Hon Sir John |
| Pawsey, James | Whitney, Ray |
| Peacock, Mrs Elizabeth | Whittingdale, John |
| Pickles, Eric | Widdecombe, Ann |
| Porter, Barry (Wirral S) | Wiggin, Sir Jerry |
| Porter, David (Waveney) | Wilkinson, John |
| Portillo, Rt Hon Michael | Willetts, David |
| Rathbone, Tim | Wilshire, David |
| Redwood, Rt Hon John | Winterton, Mrs Ann (Congleton) |
| Renton, Rt Hon Tim | Winterton, Nicholas (Macc'fld) |
| Richards, Rod | Wolfson, Mark |
| Riddick, Graham | Yeo, Tim |
| Robathan, Andrew | Young, Rt Hon Sir George |
| Roberts, Rt Hon Sir Wyn | |
| Robertson, Raymond (Ab'd'n S) | Tellers for the Noes: |
| Robinson, Mark (Somerton) | Mr. Irvine Patrick and |
| Roe, Mrs Marion (Broxbourne) | Mr. Timothy Wood. |
§ Question accordingly negatived
§ Further consideration adjourned.—[Mr. Andrew Mitchell]
§ Bill to be further considered this day