HC Deb 15 February 1949 vol 461 cc151-3W
107. Mr. Mitchison

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning what are the terms of reference of the Standing Conference appointed in September, 1948, about restoration of land worked for iron ore; who are the members of the Standing Conference and what bodies each of them represents; on what dates they have met; whether their proceedings are public; and when he expects a report.

Mr. King

There have been three meetings: on 20th October and 16th December, 1948; and 3rd February, 1949. The proceedings are not public and I cannot say when the work of the Conference will be completed. Following are the terms of reference for the Standing Conference on ironstone in the midland fieldTo co-ordinate the views of the parties concerned (i.e., county councils, the industry and the Departments of Government) on the following matters:

  1. (a) the provision to be made for the future working of ironstone in the Development Plans to be prepared under the Town and Country Planning Act, 1947, for the Administrative Counties of Northampton, Rutland, parts of Kesteven, parts of Lindsey, Oxford, Warwick and Leicester, having regard to the extent of the ironstone resources considered to be workable or likely to be workable in future, either by opencast working or underground operation, and the conflicting interests of agriculture, surface development, amenity, and other relevant factors;
  2. (b) the appropriate methods to be adopted for the after-treatment of sites worked opencast, with a view to restoring the land to some beneficial use having regard to geological factors, the availability of suitable equipment, the cost of such operations and other relevant considerations;
  3. (c) the method to be adopted under the Town and Country Planning Act, 1947, for securing such after-treatment of the land, as may be recommended;
  4. (d) the problem arising from subsidence or other damage occurring or likely to result from underground mining of ironstone;
  5. (e) any ancillary matters appertaining to the actual working of iron ore;
  6. (f) any related questions of general interest arising in connection with ironstone working on which the Minister may from time to time invite the views of the Conference.

The members are:

  • Chairman: Sir Henry Prior, K.C.I.E., C.S.I., Regional Controller, Nottingham, Ministry of Town and Country Planning.
  • Independent Member: Mr. A. H. S. Waters, V.C., D.S.O., M.C.

County Council Representatives

  • Northamptonshire: The Clerk of the County Council.
  • Leicestershire: The Clerk of the County Council.
  • Parts of Lindsey: The Clerk of the County Council.
  • Parts of Kesteven: The Clerk of the County Council.
  • Oxfordshire: The Chairman of the County Council and the Clerk of the County Council.
  • Warwickshire: The Clerk of the County Council.
  • Rutlandshire: The Chairman of the Planning Committee.

Representatives of the National Council of Associated Ore Producers

  • Mr. A. R. Hay (Deputy Chairman of the National Council).
  • Mr. Peter Wilson (Secretary to the National Council).
  • Mr. E. Ashwell.
  • Mr. C. B. Bailey.
  • Mr. R. B. Beilby.
  • Colonel A. F. Holden.
  • Mr. A. Mackay.
  • Mr. F. M. Robinson.

Government Departments Represented

  • Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.
  • Forestry Commission.
  • Ministry of Supply.
  • Geological Survey.
  • Ministry of Health (when water supply problems arise).