HL Deb 13 May 1953 vol 182 cc460-1

2.53 p.m.

LORD MANCROFT

My Lords, these Regulations make a few small amendments to the Regulations which deal with planning control over quarrying and other mineral working. As your Lordships will see from the explanatory note at the end of the Regulations, the amendments mainly affect points of detail or machinery, with the exception of Regulation 5, which slightly extends the field for claiming compensation for loss suffered as a result of a refusal of permission to reopen or extend an existing mine or quarry. Experience has shown that the previous Regulations were rather too tightly worded. One or two cases came to the notice of my right honourable friend in which it was clearly unjust to exclude compensation, but as they did not fall within the precise wording of the previous Regulations, no claim could be made. The revised Regulation puts right this injustice. I beg to move that the Regulations be approved.

Moved, That the Town and Country Planning (Minerals) Regulations, 1953, reported from the Special Orders Committee on Wednesday, the 29th of April, be approved.—(Lord Mancroft.)

EARL JOWITT

My Lords, I would only ask the noble Lord one question. Has some estimate been made—I assume that it has; if not, it ought to have been—as to the extra cost that will fall on the taxpayer by virtue of these amended and enlarged Regulations?

LORD MANCROFT

Yes, my Lords. I understand that an estimate has been made, and that the cost is not considerable.

EARL JOWITT

May we know what it is?

LORD MANCROFT

I have not the exact figures, but I understand that it is not considerable. I will find out, and let the noble and learned Earl know.

EARL JOWITT

Perhaps the noble Lord's idea of what is considerable and mine may differ fundamentally. I feel that if a Regulation of this sort is made, imposing a charge on the taxpayer, we ought to have some approximate idea of what is involved. Is it £100,000 or £1 million, or what? It is not satisfactory to be told simply that the charge is unlikely to be "considerable."

LORD MANCROFT

My Lords, quite agree with the noble Earl opposite that his idea of what is a considerable sum and mine may differ. Indeed, this was a point which, from the Back Benches opposite, I frequently made in the course of the last five and a half years. I have not the exact figure with me, but I understand, as I have said, that it is not considerable—only a few thousand pounds. I will, however, find out the exact figure.

On Question, Motion agreed to.