§ 3.30 p.m.
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE, SCOTTISH OFFICE (LORD STRATHCLYDE)My Lords, on behalf of my noble friend Lord Mancroft, I rise to move that these regulations be approved. Town and Country Planning legislation is notoriously complicated, and regulations governing mineral workings under the Planning Acts are, if anything, more complicated than others. Your Lordships may therefore welcome the assurance that the purpose of the regulations for which we seek approval to-day is only to correct an error in drafting which was not foreseen at the time the original regulations were made, and which has only recently been brought to light.
May I remind your Lordships that the purpose of the main regulations, which were made in 1954, was to adapt the provisions of the Town and Country Planning Acts to mineral operations and, among other things, to regulate the payment of compensation when planning permission in respect of mineral workings is refused or granted under limiting conditions. The intention of the 1954 regulations was that compensation should be payable only in respect of commitments incurred before the 1947 Act. Regulation 10 (1), which relates to compensation for plant and machinery, is already so limited, but we are advised that doubt exists as to whether Regulation 10 (2), which relates to other loss or damage, such as, for example, loss of contracts, is so limited. It was always intended that it should be, and these regulations are made in order to put the matter right. With that explanation, I trust that your Lordships will see fit to approve these regulations, and I beg to move.
§ Moved, that the Town and Country Planning (Minerals) (Amendment) Regulations, 1957, reported from the Special Orders Committee on 24th July, be approved.—(Lord Strathclyde.)
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.