§ Mrs. GoldingTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if any investigation has been made of health problems arising from the close proximity of people to opencast mining; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NichollsI am not aware of any authoritative survey or investigation into links between opencast mining and illness in people living nearby. There is no firm evidence that such a study would be worthwhile. However the Health and Safety Executive will continue to monitor the position and will take account of any new evidence that may emerge.