§ Mr. Skeetasked the Prime Minister if he is satisfied with co-ordination between the Departments of the Environment and Industry relating to the mineral industry; and if he will indicate which Department has primary responsibility for it.
§ The Prime MinisterYes. There is very close co-ordination between the Departments concerned. Responsibility for the minerals industry is divided 161W between Departments according to the use to which minerals are put. Minerals for the construction industry are dealt with by the Department of the Environment, fuel minerals by the Department of Energy and minerals for general industrial use by the Department of Industry. The Department of the Environment is responsible for land use planning as it affects minerals.