§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Energy how many private opencast coal mining companies currently operate in (a) south Wales, (b) the midlands, (c) the north east and (d) Scotland.
§ Mr. Giles ShawThe awarding of contracts for NCB opencast sites and the issuing of licences for private opencast sites are matters for the NCB. I have therefore asked the chairman to write to the hon. Member.