§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what information he has as to whether the British Steel Corporation intends to reinstate the Roxby Gullet opencast ironstone mine to its former state now that mining has ceased.
§ Mr. Atkins[holding answer 14 July 1988] : I understand that at present the British Steel Corporation is considering various options regarding the future of the area. The British Steel Corporation is not required by the conditions of the original planning permissions to restore the land to its former state. These conditions do, however, require restoration of such levels and configurations as would facilitate natural drainage and permit the resumption of normal agricultural operations. The planning permissions recognise that the last gullet may have to be left open either to facilitate future mining operations or because of the expense of obtaining filling materials. The restoration conditions do not apply to such areas. Apparently the present configuration would need to remain were mining to recommence.
§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what representations he has received from Glanford borough council on the subject of opencast ironstone mining.
§ Mr. Atkins[holding answer 14 July 1988] : I am aware of no representations from Glanford borough council on the subject of opencast ironstone mining.
§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many former ironstone mines the British Steel Corporation either owns or retains the lease of(a) nationally and (b) in the Glanford and Scunthorpe constituency.
§ Mr. Atkins[holding answer 14 July 1988] : I understand that the British Steel Corporation either owns or retains the lease of 12 former ironstone quarries nationally. The British Steel Corporation owns four former opencast quarries in the Scunthorpe area. Of the remaining eight, six are in Northamptonshire, one in Leicestershire and one in Oxfordshire. Of these eight, the British Steel Corporation owns the mineral rights of two.