§ Mr. Kennedyasked the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 15 May, Official Report, column 506, to the hon. Member for Ross, Cromarty and Skye, if he will indicate (a) on what date he received formal advice that the proposed pipeline assembly yard at Tain, Ross-shire, would affect indirectly a substantially greater part of the site of special scientific interest than the 0.24 per cent. directly affected, (b) from what source he received such advice and (c) to what extent in considering such advice, he took into account the findings of the independent appraisal carried out into the matter by Dr. John Smith; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AncramHighland regional council's notification of the planning application, received on 7 April, enclosed an objection by the Nature Conservancy Council indicating that consequences could be expected well beyond the immediate development area. My right hon. and learned Friend also noted the report prepared by Dr. John Smith at the request of Land and Marine Engineering Ltd., the applicant for planning permission; and a letter dated 17 April from the Nature Conservancy Council stating that it considered the report inadequate.
§ Mr. Kennedyasked the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 15 May, Official Report, columns 506–7, if he will indicate, of those letters of objection received by him via Highland regional council to the proposed pipeline assembly yard at Tain, Ross-shire, how many respectively (a) referred to the site of special scientific interest designated area, (b) referred to other 577W issues, and (c) and, of those falling within category (b) above, how many of these issues have now been resolved; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AncramThe planning application was notified to my right hon. and learned Friend under procedures which apply where a planning authority propose to grant planning permission for a development affecting a site of special scientific interest, against the advice of the Nature Conservancy Council. His subsequent decision to call in the application was based on his consideration of the views expressed about the effects of the proposed development on the nature conservation interest. In reaching that decision it was not necessary for him to consider other grounds of objection in detail.
§ Mr. Kennedyasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is yet in a position to announce the details of the public inquiry into the proposed pipeline assembly yard at Tain, Ross-shire, with particular reference to (a) the commencing date, (b) the anticipated length of time it will take, (c) the number of objectors to be heard and (d) the identity of the objectors to be heard; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AncramArrangements arc being made to hold the public local inquiry in Tain commencing on 23 September 1986. It is anticipated that the inquiry may continue until 26 September. No other details are known at this stage.