§ Mr. Barry Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he has had discussions with the chairman of British Coal concerning the Opencast Executive's proposals to mine opencast coal on agricultural land adjacent to residential properties at Cheapside, Ewloe, Clwyd; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Barry Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will initiate an inquiry into the impact in Clwyd of opencast mining operations upon local communities; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GristNo. In view of my right hon. Friend's statutory responsibility to give impartial consideration to individual applications and appeals in relation to opencast coal mining, it would not be appropriate for me to set up such an inquiry.
§ Mr. Barry Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will receive a deputation from Cheapside, Clwyd residents about the proposals of the Opencast Executive; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he will visit Cheapside, Clwyd, and meet on site representatives of residents, the community, district and county councils; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GristNo. The Opencast Executive has appealed to my right hon. Friend against the refusal of Clwyd county council to grant planning permission for opencast coal mining at Cheapside, Clwyd. Arrangements are being made for a public local inquiry to be held into the appeal and, in view of this, it would not be appropriate for my right hon. Friend to visit the appeal site or to meet local representatives to discuss the proposed development.