§ Miss Boothroydasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what financial resources he will snake available to Sandwell metropolitan council to assist those householders in Wednesbury whose homes are being affected by subsidence caused by abandoned limestone mines; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. TraceyA variety of possible remedial measures for the Cowpasture mine, Wednesbury, are currently being considered by the expert panel appointed to advise the Secretary of State for the Environment on black country limestone matters. Consideration is being given to the most appropriate and cost effective solution to the problem commensurate with land use and property protection considerations, including privately owned housing.
My right hon. Friend cannot yet say what solution will be adopted. The advisory panel will be reporting to him on this issue shortly and he will give full and careful consideration to their recommendations.
However, financial assistance to householders whose property may be affected by subsidence, is a matter more appropriate to the insurance market which exists to cover such eventualities. In the meantime, the Department continues to fund approved ongoing monitoring of the old mines and further investigation works and urgent remedial works in the area through the derelict land grant programme.
Over £4 million has already been approved by the Department for monitoring, investigation and remedial works in the black country as a whole. Resources of £5 million earmarked for schemes in 1986–87 are significantly higher than the allocation of £3.1 million for 1985–86.