HC Deb 20 December 1991 vol 201 cc361-2W
Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will place in the Library a copy of the correspondence between him and the Welsh Region of the National Rivers Authority referred to in the December 1991 National Rivers Authority position statement on the Cardiff Bay Barrage Bill, relating to the National Rivers Authority and the Secretary of State's general environmental duty and the assurances sought by the authority that the conservation implications of the barrage had been taken into account in arriving at the decision to promote the Bill.

Mr. David Hunt

No. The correspondence referred to was between officials of the NRA and my Department. It would not be appropriate for it to be placed in the Library of the House.

Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what policy considerations were taken into account in removing in the Cardiff Bay Barrage Bill the right conferred by paragraphs 52(1) and (2) of the Cardiff Bay Barrage Bill for householders outside the protected property line to make a claim for remedial work against damage caused by rising groundwater, irrespective of whether that householder had previously commissioned a pre-impoundment survey; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. David Hunt

The Bill provides for properties within the protected property line to be surveyed before and after impoundment in order to determine whether there have been any effects from rising groundwater. Owners and occupiers of properties outside the protected property line but within Cardiff, Penarth and Llandough who choose to have pre- and post-impoundment surveys undertaken are also entitled to benefit from the scheme. By an anomaly, cause 52 of the private Bill also entitled householders in Cardiff, Penarth and Llandough but outside the protected property line to a survey and remedial works even if they had not opted for the initial surveys.