HL Deb 18 December 1975 vol 366 cc1570-2
Baroness WARD of NORTH TYNESIDE

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 whether quicker action can be taken than at present appears to be contemplated to allay the anxiety of home owners in the vicinity of the Kielder Dam who are to be rehoused.

Baroness STEDMAN

My Lords, I understand that Tynedale District Council, who have statutory responsibility for rehousing householders who will be displaced by construction of the Kielder Reservoir, plan to provide replacement houses at three sites in the North Tyne Valley. All three schemes are either at, or approaching, tender stage, and it is expected that once tenders are accepted building work should soon begin.

Baroness WARD of NORTH TYNESIDE

My Lords, while thanking the noble Baroness for that reply, may I ask whether she is not aware that a great deal of criticism has arisen owing to the delays which appear to be caused by the Secretary of State for the Environment? And although I am grateful for what she has said, it does not in fact answermy Question. Will she ask the Secretary of State for the Environment to get on with his job and prevent the delays which he is causing, as I understand is the feeling in the North?

Baroness STEDMAN

My Lords, I can only repeat to the noble Baroness, Lady Ward of North Tyneside, that the responsibility is that of the Tynedale District Council. It is not the responsibility of the Department. The Regional Office of the Department are not in any way involved and the schemes are entirely a matter for the District Council and the Northumbrian Water Authority.

Baroness WARD of NORTH TYNESIDE

My Lords, I am very sorry about the answer of the noble Baroness. In such a big area as is covered by the Kielder Dam, does she mean to say that the Secretary of State for the Environment has nothing whatever to do with this position?—because, with very great respect, I think the noble Baroness is really wrong.

Baroness STEDMAN

My Lords, some 30 or 40 families are affected—

Baroness WARD of NORTH TYNE SIDE

I know that, my Lords.

Baroness STEDMAN

—under the compensation Act 1973, and the local authority, in this case the Tynedale District Council, have the statutory duty to provide alternative accommodation, and the displacing authority, in this case the Northumbrian Water Authority, have to indemnify the local authority against any net loss incurred in providing accommodation. But it has nothing to do with the Department of the Environment. It is a matter for the district authority and the water authority.

Lord BALERNO

My Lords, this matter was debated in this House a good many years ago. I wonder if my recollection is correct as to whether an assurance was not given by the then Government that the persons displaced would be rehoused.

Baroness STEDMAN

My Lords, I am not in a position to answer that, but the persons to be displaced have to be re housed by the Tynedale District Council.

Lord SEGAL

My Lords, could not the Government possibly jerk the arm of the local authority in this matter, because after all, that is what Governments are for?

Baroness STEDMAN

My Lords, it is still a matter, I regret, for the Tynedale District Council, and they are making their plans. The schemes have been agreed and now they are at or approaching tender stage. Work will start very shortly.