§ Mrs. Ann TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the Government's policy on the appropriate level of national coal stocks; and if he will now review the procedure for planning applications for opencast mines.
§ Mr. BaldryThe review announced on 21 October by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade will look at the level of coal stocks, both at the pithead and the power stations and whether plans to run them down are sensibly phased.
With regard to the procedure for planning application for opencast mines, I announced on 15 July that the guidelines contained in MPG3 will be revised. My Department expects to bring forward a draft for public consultation next year following the review of the Government's energy policy.