§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will now refund the costs and other expenses funded by the Laven Glaze Group, South Brent, Dartmoor, as a result of the abortive planning appeal made by Shell UK Oil Limited, regarding land adjacent to Carew filling station which ended on 6 September 1989; and if he will make a statement as to the reason for the delay in carrying out his obligations.
§ Mr. Atkins[holding answer 9 July 1990]: My Department has no legal obligation to refund the costs of the South Brent and Lower Glaze Group in relation to this planning appeal by Shell UK Ltd. My Department has, however, decided to pay 50 per cent. of the appeal costs and is paying the objectors' costs in full, on behalf of itself and Shell. It will also pay half of Shell's costs, when these are quantified fully, less the element already paid to the objectors. The parties will have been informed by letter of this decision and the payments will follow.