HC Deb 10 February 1994 vol 237 cc439-41W
Mr. Dobson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what future meetings he plans to hold with representatives of Barnet council in connection with contamination of land at Coppetts wood, Finchley.

Mr. Atkins

This is a matter for resolution between the Department of Transport and the London borough of Barnet.

Mr. Dobson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 18 January,Official Report, column 565, (a) on what date and by whom his Department was first made aware of contamination of land to be given in exchange for land required for the trunk road improvement east of Fallowden way and east of high road, Finchley, (b) on what date and to whom his Department first notified Barnet council that testing of the site would take place, (c) on what dates and by whom testing of the site took place, (d) on what date and by whom his Department was first notified of the results of the test, (e) on what date and to whom his Department notified Barnet council of the results of the test, (f) by what date his Department told Barnet council that it would require the council's response and (g) if he has now received the council's response; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Atkins

The contamination to which the hon. Member refers became apparent only after the exchange land certificate for this site had been issued. In these circumstances, the problem was a matter for the Department of Transport as the acquiring authority and the London borough of Barnet as the owner of the land. My Department has not been involved in any ensuing correspondence.

Mr. Dobson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment his Department undertakes, or what information his Department requires from local councils, regarding condition, and possible contamination, of land when considering options for possible sites to be subject to exchange land certificates.

Mr. Atkins

The Department has to be satisfied that there has been compliance with the appropriate procedures and requirements under the Acquisition of Land Act 1981 before exchange land certificates are issued. It relies on the Department of Transport, as the acquiring authority, and the local authority to supply information about the condition and possible contamination of potential exchange land sites. Where trunk road proposals are the subject of a public inquiry and an exchange land certificate is sought, the Secretary of State will rely on evidence presented at the time about the condition and possible contamination of exchange land, as reported on by the inspector, in considering options for potential sites.

Mr. Dobson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what instructions or advice of recommended procedure his Department issues to councils regarding allowing access by elected councillors to information provided by his Department to the council in relation to possible contamination of land within their wards; if he will make representations to Barnet council regarding council officers' refusal to allow access to such information to councillors in connection with contamination of land at Coppetts wood, Finchley; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Atkins

My Department has not issued instructions to local authorities on this. Authorities are independent, but must, of course, comply with the relevant law including the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985. We understand that the Department of Transport has sent a report of the tests on the Coppetts wood site to council officers to enable them to prepare their report to council members. The DOT said that council officers could show the report to Members.

Mr. Dobson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a list of all correspondence since January 1988 between his Department and the London borough of Barnet relating to(a) issuing of exchange land certificates in connection with the widening of the north circular road, east of Falloden way and (b) condition and possible contamination of land at Coppetts wood in Finchley; what was the date of each piece of correspondence; who was the sender and recipient in each case; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Atkins

This is a matter for the Department of Transport. My Department has not been in correspondence with the London borough of Barnet on the subjects raised.