Lord Winstanleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether their attention has been drawn to the destruction of homes by methane gas explosions in places where new housing estates have been constructed on former waste disposal sites, and whether there are statutory provisions for the compensation of the owners of such houses.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment (Lord Skelmersdale)The Government are aware of the dangers of houses being built on or near to waste disposal sites, either in current use or filled. There are no statutory provisions for compensation to owners of houses demolished or damaged by explosions of methane from landfill sites. Any claims must be pursued through the courts.