HC Deb 12 July 1972 vol 840 cc362-3W
Mr. Gwynoro Jones

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much central Government money was spent on the ports in Wales in 1964, 1970 and 1971.

Mr. Peyton

Assistance by way of port modernisation grants to ports in Wales under Section 12 of the Harbours Act 1964, has been as follows:

1964 1970 1971
Nil £2,079,000 £1,513,445

Mr. Gwynoro Jones

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the major South Wales port schemes costing over £¼ million that were completed in the period 1965 to 1971.

Mr. Peyton

The list is as follows:

  1. (2) whether he will publish in the Official Report a detailed and chronological statement giving particulars when Menlead Properties Limited first initiated its claim for planning permission; how many letters and telephone calls were received; when the appeal was submitted and heard; when the inspector's report of 17th April reached him; and on now many occasions since 20th January, 1972 approaches were made to his Department and with what results;
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  2. (3) whether he will cause an investigation to be made to ascertain why the hon. Member for West Ham, North was advised that the reason for the delay in issuing his decision on the appeal of Menlead Properties Limited was due to the illness of the inspector, when in fact the inspector's report was submitted to him on 17th April 1972;
  3. (4) why, as his inspector held an inquiry on the appeal of Menlead Properties Limited on 6th and 7th January, 1972, and the inspector's report was sent to him on 17th April, 1972, he did not notify the appellants until 30th June, 1972, of his decision.

Mr. Peter Walker

I replied on 20th January to the hon. Member's letter of 12th January. I discussed the procedural position with him on 15th May. My letter of 30th June explained the decision and the time taken. The answers I gave the hon. Member on 17th and 24th May explained the delay over the inspector's report. Menlead Properties Limited applied to Camden London Borough Council for planning permission on 29th January, 1971. It appealed to me against refusal of permission on 27th May, 1971. An inquiry into the appeal was held on 6th and 7th January, 1972. The inspector's report dated 17th April reached my Department on 20th April. Two letters were received from the appellant's representatives, both before the inquiry and both of a procedural nature. After the inquiry telephone calls were received from time to time, and the appellants' representatives and the hon. Member were given such information as could properly be disclosed about the position reached on the appeal. I am writing again to the hon. Member.—[Vol. 837, c.97. 393.]