HL Deb 10 March 1971 vol 316 cc62-3

3.4 p.m.

LORD GARNSWORTHY

My 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 when the Secretary of State for the Environment intends to lay the Order designed to implement the undertaking previously given to reduce the rating of mineral hereditaments by 50 per cent. from April 1, 1971.]

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE, DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT (LORD SANDFORD)

My Lords, the Mines and Quarries (Valuation) Order 1971 was laid before this House on March 4. It provides for reductions in the rating assessments of land occupied for the winning and working of minerals of 25 per cent. from April 1, 1971, and 50 per cent. from April 1, 1972.

LORD GARNSWORTHY

My Lords, while thanking the Minister for that reply, may I ask him whether he can give an assurance that the Order will apply to all spoil heaps?

LORD SANDFORD

Yes, my Lords; but probably I should go further into that question when we come to debate the Order at the end of the month.

LORD GARNSWORTHY

My Lords, while very much appreciating that further reply, may I ask the Minister to say why, since it would appear that an undertaking was given by the last Government—and that undertaking was repeated by the present Government in, I think, July of last year—that 50 per cent. derating would be allowed, only 25 per cent. is being allowed in the first year?

LORD SANDFORD

My Lords, I am not sure that the noble Lord is right about that undertaking. The nearest thing to it was given by his noble friend, the noble Lord, Lord Greenwood, in another place and in another Government, on May 15, 1970, but it was not an undertaking to do just that; it was an undertaking to consider the detailed adjustments that would be necessary with a view to making an Order. Those considerations have led to our laying an Order and to the steps that I have just outlined coming into force on the date originally envisaged.

LORD GARNSWORTHY

My Lords, I wonder whether the Minister could indicate why it is that the 50 per cent. is not being given in the first year; why, in point of fact, only 25 per cent. is being given.

LORD SANDFORD

Because, my Lords, in the course of consultations leading up to the drafting of the Order this seemed to be the right thing to do. But I would suggest that we can go into that matter better when we come to debate the Order.