§ 24. Mr. John H. Osbornasked the Secretary of State for Industry what steps he is taking, in conjunction with major contracting and mineral mining industries, to encourage and set up mineral operations at deposits away from national parks.
§ Mr. CryerThe Mineral Exploration and Investment Grants Act 1972 enables the Department of Industry to make contributions of up to 35 per cent. towards40W expenditure incurred in searching for and evaluating certain mineral deposits in Great Britain and on the United Kingdom Continental Shelf. The Department also funds wholly or partially certain reconnaissance schemes being carried out on its behalf by the Institute of Geological Sciences.
There is no specific scheme to encourage mining operations away from national parks; minerals have to be exploited, subject to planning requirements, where they occur.