HC Deb 05 June 1981 vol 5 c449W
Mr. Beith

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has invited contractors to submit tenders for work on the proposed test drilling programme in the Cheviot Hills for which Northumberland county council refused planning consent and which is at present the subject of an appeal; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Giles Shaw

No. The Department has, as part of its radioactive waste management research programme for 1982–83, invited interested bodies to submit preliminary proposals for a number of research tasks, including waste treatment and oceanographic and geological investigation. Tenders for drilling referred to would only be invited if, and when, planning permission to do so were granted.

£m November 1979 prices
Greater London other met counties shirecounties England
accepted grant accepted grant accepted grant accepted grant
1975–76 433 177 490 173 815 147 1,738 497
1976–77 344 139 456 159 768 154 1,568 452
1977–78 301 135 343 115 569 93 1,213 343
1978–79 268 113 354 126 530 84 1,152 323
1979–80 281 121 332 106 590 110 1,203 337
1980–81 272 120 296 90 557 109 1,125 319
1981–82 285 131 296 92 532 92 1,113 315

The figures for the years before 1980–81 must be treated with great reserve. It is only possible to use generalised revaluation factors, which may differ significantly from the experience of particular classes of authority or the actual pattern of spending. The figures take no account of the effect of cash limits on grant payments in some years.