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' The Problem or Subsitlence • Slt'lTZERLAND Subsidence occurs only in the Schweizerhalle re- gion and compensation is covered by Cantonal law and the Civil Code on Vicinity rights. Subsidence (ott a scale much less than that which occurred at the end of the last century) occurs in parts of Cheshire, Staffordshire and Worcestershire. It is most tsidespread in Cheshire, where Acts of Parliament have ensured the compensation of private property owners since 28th Jul}•, 1891. Agitation from property otsners started in 1871. The current legislation is the Cheshire Brine Pumping (Compensation for Subsidence) Acts of 1952 and 1964, the work- ings of rthich are described in more detail later. Pt,blisltcd information on subsidena• problcnu. In the last fe~v decades, a number of papers have been published on subsidence problems-their cause and avoidance, and the tninimization of con- sequent proper[}• damage. \lany of the papers on the latter subject refer to subsidence caused by conventional mining operations for coal and min- erals of all sorts, but the information and advice given is equall}• applicable to structures built in area; subject to subsidence caused by the leaching of salt beds 1} ing near the surface. in this connection, it is of interest to observe that similar traditional structural designs have been evoh'ed over the centuries in widely separated areas of Europe subject to subsidence. The characteristic feature, shown by houses built 400 or more years ago, is the use of framing, not only' above ground but also in the foundation. The resultant structure is essentially a box which can and does tilt when the ground beneath it settles irregularly and the integrity of the structure is thereby preserved. Structural designs currently recommended incorpo- rate the same principle. On the legal aspects of compensation for subsid- ence damage and the technical aspects of defensive and corrective measures, British law and practice are high!}' developed and are illustrated by the working of the "Cheshire Brine Subsidence Com- pensation Board." The Cheshire Brine Pumping (Cntnpcnsation Eor Subsidence) Act 1952, covers the follo~s~ng princi- ple points:- 1. The Act covers a defined area of Cheshire only. Figure ~. 2. A Compensation Fund is established and fed by levies (baud on quantity extracted) on all Brine •IIWII{{ Y1~[ R.V~~4 RlavrNMTMM nl{ Y'e11yNl'[I YLL •l Figure 5. Pumpers; natural brine pumpers pay three times as much per unit volume of brine pumped az those w•ho practice controlled solution. 3. The Fund is administered by a Board (which meets monthly) consisting of fifteen members who represent, in equal numbers, the Brine Pumpers, the Cheshire County Council and Local Authorities in the areas concerned. 4. Private property owners (Public Undertakings are debarred from claiming) alleging damage due to subsidence, give notice in a prescribed manner within six months of damage becoming apparent. 5. IE the Board, on the basis of reports by its Sur- ceyors, confirms that the damage was caused by subsidence, compensation is awarded on the basis of adjudicated claims for the incurred costs of repair or renewal. 6. Continuing claims can be commuted for a lump sum pa} ment. ~. The Board may make recommendations regard- ing the design of new• property to be built in the compensation district, so as to minimize dam- age due to subsidence and Facilitate its correc- tion. In such cases, financial assistance for the extra cost ma}' be granted by the Board. i