§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Energy in what areas of the United Kingdom, apart from the southwest, the development of minerals has been severely held up because of the difficulty in tracing title to minerals; and what use has been made of the Mines (Working Facilities and Support) Acts 1966 to 1974 to overcome these difficulties.
§ Mr. ButcherI have been asked to reply.
I am not aware of any part of the United Kingdom where significant mineral development has been severely impeded solely by difficulties in tracing mineral ownership. Whilst such problems do exist, particularly in some parts of south west England, little use has been made of the available remedy, the Mines (Working Facilities and Support) Acts 1966 and 1974. Only one application has been made concerning difficulty in tracing title to minerals.