HC Deb 05 April 1995 vol 257 cc1283-4W
Ms Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will investigate the extent and causes of recent earth tremors in Stoke-on-Trent. [17898]

Sir Paul Beresford

The extent of earth tremors in Great Britain is monitored by the British Geological Survey. Eleven separate small events were recorded at Stoke-on-Trent and one at Newcastle-under-Lyme between the 20 and 28 February, 1995. None of the existing monitoring instruments is located sufficiently close to the centre of the activity to determine the cause. It is not proposed to install additional monitoring equipment since, while this might identify the origin of subsequent tremors, if any occur, it would not identify unambiguously the cause of those which have taken place already.

Ms Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what powers(a) he has and (b) other authorities have to investigate the causes of a house collapse at Kidsgrove, Stoke-on-Trent; and if he will make a statement. [17888]

Sir Paul Beresford

The Secretary of State for the Environment has no responsibility to investigate the causes of a house collapse. While the local authority has powers to take action to secure public safety, in the event of an emergency, under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and the Building Act 1984, these powers do not extend to investigation of the causes of a house collapse. The secure and safe occupancy of a site is a matter for the landowner under the Occupiers' Liability Acts 1957 and 1984. The Coal Authority has responsibility, under the Coal Industry Act 1994, to have regard to securing the safety of members of the public in respect of hazards arising from the physical legacy of coal mining for which it has responsibility. This is in addition to the more specific responsibilities it has in the area of coal mining subsidence.

Ms Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will establish an inquiry into possible links between earth tremors, former mining operations, and a house collapse in Kidsgrove, Stoke-on-Trent. [17889]

Sir Paul Beresford

It would not be appropriate to establish an inquiry, since the Coal Authority is currently investigating this incident to determine whether there is any relationship to the physical legacy of coal mining.