§ Mr. BatisteTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will name the sites referred to in his answer to the hon. Member for Elmet on 25 January, and specify the modifications to existing methods of work which have been agreed in each case.
§ Mr. NichollsThe sites and action taken are as follows:
(a) Godkin Opencast Coal Quarry, Derbyshire—owned by Northern Strip Mining plc—Mineral: Coal. Immediate prohibition notice issued preventing planned development in the area of a dam wall within the site. Subsequent investigation has produced a method of safe working which complies with the requirements of the notice.
(b) Station Road Opencast Coal Quarry, Derbyshire—owned by Northern Strip Mining plc-Mineral: Coal, and
(c) Dixon Opencast Coal Quarry, Derbyshire—owned by Coal Contractors Ltd.—Mineral: Coal.
At both the above sites, action was taken to redirect the river Rother into purpose-built main river courses, which included flood plains and banks.
(d) Blindwell Opencast Coal Quarry, East Lothian—owned by Fairclough Parkingson of Wakefield—Mineral: Coal.
The proposed stand-off distance between the highwall and the main Edinburgh-London railway line was increased and the slope of the highwall redesigned to increase the safety margin.