§ 3.10 p.m.
§ LORD GARNSWORTHYMy 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 what consideration is being given to the removal of dereliction and the avoidance of further spoliation in the areas adjacent to road-work projects to be undertaken in the next three years on the M.18 and M.62 by using industry waste as "fill" material.]
THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DEFENCE, R.A.F. (LORD WINTER-BOTTOM)My Lords, Her Majesty's Government fully appreciate the advantages of using suitable mineral waste as "fill" material for road-works. As regards the M.18 and M.62 projects, special investigations have been carried out, including tests on colliery tips in the vicinity of the works proposed. The results of these investigations will be made known to all contractors who are being invited to tender. The Government are also examining the overall social cost and utility of using mineral waste in this way.
§ LORD GARNSWORTHYMy Lords, may I thank my noble friend for that reply and ask him whether the Ministry of Transport are prepared to consider the advantage to local amenities—and I want to stress that aspect—of using this industrial waste on these projects? Further, are they aware of the possibility of financial savings by the avoidance of re-contouring, because if re-contouring is undertaken there is a charge on national funds by way of grant?
§ LORD WINTERBOTTOMMy Lords, at this moment the Ministry of Transport are not empowered to make these calculations. However, a Working Party is being set up jointly by the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Housing and Local Government to consider what further encouragement can be given to use waste as "fill" for road building; and, of course, they will be 857 studying as a matter of urgency the complex technical and economic problems indicated by my noble friend.
§ LORD GARNSWORTHYMy Lords, may I further ask my noble friend whether it is correct that something like 20 million tons of "fill" material' will be required in connection with these projects? Is this not an area where waste heaps stand up like sore thumbs, and is there any part of the country which would benefit more by the removal of those heaps than this particular part?
§ LORD WINTERBOTTOMMy Lords, in fact the figure given me is 5.4 cubic million tons. As I said in my Answer, careful consideration is being given as to how tip materials in the area may be applied to this construction work.
§ LORD TAYLOR OF MANSFIELDMy Lords, would my noble friend say what is the position regarding the rating of colliery spoil heaps?
§ LORD WINTERBOTTOMMy Lords, I am afraid I cannot answer that question; but I will give my noble friend an answer—if he does not know it already.
§ LORD WINTERBOTTOMMy Lords, I stand corrected. It is a cubic million metres.