§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will now consider establishing a National Resources Board for Wales to have responsibility for oversight of all mineral exploration on land, together with oil exploration in the Welsh area of the Celtic Sea and to undertake its own exploration programme.
§ Mr. John MorrisI am satisfied that my planning and oversight responsibilities in respect of mineral exploration on land are adequate. I am also satisfied with the present arrangements for the exploration for oil and gas reserves in the Celtic Sea, and for dealing with the implications of such exploration works.
§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Wales whether there has been any change since 1972 in his Departments policy towards mineral exploration in national parks; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John MorrisNo. The question of planning control over mineral exploration was included in the terms of reference of the Stevens Committee. The Government's views will be made known after consideration of the views of the local planning authorities and other interested bodies following publication of the report.
§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will list all companies known to his Department which have undertaken mineral exploration in Wales since 1970; how many of these were active in the Snowdonia National Park and in which areas;
681W(2) if he will list all companies which have (a) applied for and (b) received planning permission for mineral exploration in Wales since 1970; for which areas permission has been granted; and what is the time-scale of permission granted.
§ Mr. John MorrisThe information is not available. Applications for planning permission for mineral exploration are essentially matters for local planning authorities. Exceptionally the Secretary of State may call in planning applications for his own determination. This was done in July 1971 in respect of applications by Messrs. Rio Tinto Finance and Exploration Limited for planning permission for mineral exploration in the Mawddach Estuary and at Coed-y-Brenin. Temporary permissions for a period of 12 months were then granted.
§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received since 1970 about mineral exploration and development in the Snowdonia National Park and from which bodies; and if he will indicate the nature of the views expressed.
§ Mr. John MorrisI have received many representations for and against such development. In most cases the correspondents were advised that the points raised were essentially for consideration by the local planning authority.