§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement of the policy of Her Majesty's Government in relation to the problems arising for mining companies seeking mineral rights from the perplexity of mineral ownership.
§ Mr. TrippierMineral operators obtain the privately held mineral rights they need by negotiation with the owners. Where this is not practicable, the Mines (Working Facilities and Support) Acts 1966 and 1974 are designed to allow mineral operators to apply through the Secretary of State to the High Court for the compulsory grant of the right sought. Should the mineral industry generally find the current position unsatisfactory, I should be prepared to consider co-ordinated and well supported representations from them. Mineral rights is a complex issue affecting a number of interests. As part of my consideration I would need to seek the views of all those concerned.
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he proposes to make a statement on grants to aid exploration for minerals in the United Kingdom, pursuant to powers granted in section 1 of the Mineral Exploration and Investment Grants Act 1972.
§ Mr. TrippierIn the next few weeks.
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which countries in Western Europe retain a stockpile of strategic minerals.
§ Mr. TrippierOf the countries of western Europe, only Finland, France, Sweden and Switzerland are known by my Department to maintain a stockpile of strategic minerals.