§ 2.45 p.m.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question about Dorset which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will instruct the Department of the Environment to prevent the spoliation of archaelogical historic Tyneham Heath (the Egdon Heath of Thomas Hardy) by the excavation of china clay which would provide limited results whilst destroying its unique beauty.
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE, DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT (BARONESS YOUNG)My Lords, I understand that my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for the Environment has so far received no representa- 372 tions on this matter. The day-to-day planning control of mineral working is a matter for the local planning authority, and any question of the granting or revocation of a planning permission for mineral working would be for the authority in the first instance.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, while thanking the noble Baroness for that Answer, might I ask her whether she is aware of the almost mystical beauty of this Heath, described wonderfully by Thomas Hardy? May I further ask: if china clay were to be found under Westminster Abbey, would we not all oppose the suggestion that it should be blown up? Is this not a gift of beauty over the ages which we should not see destroyed by this proposed development?
§ BARONESS YOUNGMy Lords, I do not think I know Dorset as well as the noble Lord, Lord Brockway, but I agree with him that it is a very beautiful place. My Department have been in consultation with the Dorset County Council, who are the local planning authority, and they do not report any recent local controversy about any workings; nor have they received any new planning applications.
§ BARONESS LLEWELYN-DAVIES OF HASTOEMy Lords, may I congratulate the noble Baroness on answering her first Question from her position of new responsibility. May I also ask her whether, in view of the special importance of this area, she could arrange for her Department to call in ally applications which might be made in this regard?
§ BARONESS YOUNGMy Lords, I think it would be very difficult for me to say in advance whether my Department would call in a plan. But, as I think the noble Baroness will be aware, the Secretary of State has power to call in any planning application which represents a major departure from the agreed Development Plan, and if there were to be one of course he would do so.
§ LORD BURNTWOODMy Lords, is it not the case that there have been other workings in the West Country for this particular material, and could the noble Baroness perhaps arrange for a display of pictures in the Library showing the spoliation that has taken place as a result 373 of workings in that particular part of England over the last 12 to 15 years?
§ BARONESS YOUNGMy Lords, I will certainly undertake to look at this matter. I do not know of any further details or whether such photographs are in existence, but I will certainly look at the matter.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, may I associate myself with the congratulations extended to the noble Baroness. I did not know that I had the honour of putting the first Question to her in her new office. May I ask whether it is not the case that this area is now under the control of the War Office, that promises were given by Mr. Winston Churchill during the War and that all the residents received letters saying that the territory would be returned to them? Is it not a fact that, under War Office control, these excavations spoiling this beauty are already in operation? Would Her Majesty's Government ask the War Office to stop these excavations at least until the Nugent Committee has reported on this matter?
§ BARONESS YOUNGMy Lords, I am sure that the remarks of the noble Lord, Lord Brockway, have been listened to with great interest by my noble friend the Secretary of State for Defence. But as the noble Lord will be aware, under the chairmanship of my noble friend Lord Nugent of Guildford, a Committee has been looking at the whole question of defence land holdings. It was announced on May 10 that their Report is soon to be published.
§ LORD ARWYNMy Lords, may I ask whether in this case the noble Baroness could seek the advice and perhaps the co-operation of the China Clay Council? I have had 50 years' experience of mining china clay. I was a member of the China Clay Council for 20 years. In this case they might help and co-operate. I think they would have every sympathy towards the very important point which my noble friend Lord Brockway made.
§ BARONESS YOUNGMy Lords, I will certainly note the suggestion that the noble Lord has made. I would have thought that there would have been considerable discussions between the china clay company and the local planning 374 authority who have the first responsibility for these matters.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, is that the case? Is not this area now under the control of the War Office? Has the planning authority of the Council any responsibility at all? Is it not entirely a matter for the Ministry of Defence? Could the noble Baroness say when it is likely that the Nugent Committee will be reporting on this matter?
§ BARONESS YOUNGMy Lords, I have just indicated ndicated to the noble Lord that the Committee under the chairmanship of by noble friend Lord Nugent of Guildford will be reporting shortly. As I said in my original Answer to his first Question, the planning applications are, in the first instance, a matter for the local planning authority.
§ LORD CLIFFORD of CHUDLEIGHMy Lords, would the noble Baroness convey to the noble Lord, Lord Brockway, the congratulations of the House for asking a Question of interest to England for a change?