§ Mr. Masonasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what consideration he has given to the possibility of repealing the General Development Order, 1950, which allows uncontrolled tipping of colliery spoil heaps, and simultaneously allowing a sufficient period of time for all planning permissions to be dealt with; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. H. BrookeI do not think that a revocation of the relevant provisions of the Order would be a suitable method of dealing with this problem. As my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary explained in the debate on 23rd May, am considering a different approach.
§ Mr. Masonasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government to what extent the Government have helped local 87W authorities financially to rid their areas of old colliery spoil heaps; and to what extent it intends to help in the future.
§ Mr. H. BrookeAn Exchequer grant of 50 per cent. is payable at present under the Planning Acts in respect of approved schemes for reclaiming derelict land. These schemes sometimes include the levelling of spoil heaps; and particulars have already been furnished to the hon. Member of four such schemes which have been authorised in recent years. Within the limits imposed by finance, I am anxious to encourage local authorities to undertake this work and am ready to consider any reasonable proposals.
§ Mr. Masonasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what progress he has made with his suggested pilot scheme to get rid of the most offensive cases of uncontrolled colliery spoil tipping.
§ Mr. H. BrookeI assume that the hon. Member is referring to the suggestion that the West Riding county council should supply particulars of a selected number88W of tips and of the work they consider necessary to improve them. This information is not yet available.