§ Mr. Steenasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is now in a position to announce his decision on the Hemerdon mine tungsten project, following the public inquiry held during September and October 1982.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneThe decision is being issued today. The Inspector who held the inquiry accepted the principle that this tungsten deposit should be exploited, but considered that the submitted proposals were open to compelling environmental objections. He recommended that planning permission be refused, but went on to suggest possible ways in which the environmental objections might be reduced or overcome in the context of a revised application. The decision taken is in line with the inspector's views. I am sending my hon. Friend copies of the decision letter and the inspector's report.