§ Mrs. Ray MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the applications for quarrying operations in Scotland since January 1991, including(a) the exact location, (b) the estimated number of jobs created if each application is successful and (c) the type of stone to be quarried; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Stewart[holding answer 6 July 1992]: The information requested is not held centrally. Such applications are considered by planning authorities in the first instance. Only those that raise defined issues of national importance require to be notified to my right hon. Friend, and only where the authority is minded to approve them. Since January 1991 only one quarrying application has been so notified. This relates to a hard rock quarry at Hill of Gibblestone, Shetland which may generate about six jobs. No decision has yet been reached on this application. In addition, a direction has been issued requiring Western Isles islands council to notify my right 1035W hon. Friend if it is minded to approve an application for a hard rock superquarry at Rodel, South Harris. It is estimated that the Rodel application could create 20 to 80 jobs if it is successful.
Since January 1991 a number of appeals relating to quarrying applications have come before my right hon. Friend. The table summarises the information. Details of the potential number of jobs involved are not held centrally.
Quarrying application appeals received since January 1991 Location Mineral Collace Quarry, Kinross, Fife Limestone Land of Bellmuir Methlick, Grampian Sand and Gravel Rothens, Monymusk. Grampian Sand and Gravel Crutherland, Farm, East Kilbride, Strathclyde Brick, Clay, Coal Watson Farm, Stonehouse, Hamilton, Strathclyde Coal Cocklicks Farm/Summerfield Farm, Cummertrees, Annan, Dumfries and Galloway Sand and Gravel Eastcraigs by Blackridge, West Lothian Quartz/Dolomite Craigie Hill Quarry, Kyle and Carrick, Strathclyde Whinstone Townhead Farm, Rigside, Clydesdale, Strathclyde Brick/Clay