§ 2.2 p.m.
THE EARL OF HADDINGTONMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in view of the importance to history and archæology of Traprain Law, East Lothian, they intend to prohibit further quarrying there; and if so, when will the necessary action be taken.]
§ LORD HILTON OF UPTONMy Lords, with the assent of the Ancient Monuments Board for Scotland, the Government will not oppose quarrying operations within the physical limits set by a lease granted in 1938. Any proposal to extend beyond these limits will be opposed.
THE EARL OF HADDINGTONMy Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord for his reply. May I ask him one further question? As I understand that planning permission is required before the new lease can be worked, will he ask his right honourable friend the Secretary of State, whether, when he comes to make his decision, he will bear in mind the appalling disfigurement which this quarry is causing to a very lovely landscape? It is enjoyed by thousands of people, tourists and others, motoring between Scotland and England. This disfigurement can only be further aggravated by further quarrying.
§ LORD HILTON OF UPTONMy Lords, the position is that a 20-year lease was granted to the Council in 1938 to extract road metal. In 1955 the lease was extended to 1989, and a substantial extension of the quarrying area was granted. It is however unlikely that the limits laid down in the 1938 lease will be reached for some years to come. Planning permission would be required before quarrying could take place outside the limits laid down in 1938. I quite 1227 agree with the noble Earl about the importance to history and archæology, and also to Scotland, of the Traprain Law. In fact, it is one of the most important archeological sites in the country. The noble Earl can rest assured that the points he has made this afternoon will be borne in mind.