§ Mr. Denzil DaviesTo ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he will direct the British Coal Corporation immediately to desist from blocking access to coal reserves at the Betws mine, Ammanford; and forthwith to seek bids by public tender from potential operators with a view to continuing mining operations as from 1 January 1993.
§ Mr. Eggar[holding answer 16 November 1992]: Ministers have no powers to give specific directions about the conduct of its business to British Coal.
The corporation has assured me that it will continue to discharge responsibly its duty to consider applications from responsible organisations seeking licences to mine coal. British Coal has also given me an assurance that when coaling ceases at Betws it will ensure that the fabric of the pit is preserved so that, if at the end of the statutory consultation period it is decided to keep it open, that will be possible.