§ Mr. HoonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps are being taken to prevent contamination by minewater of the Erewash and Leen rivers and of groundwater in Nottinghamshire following the closure of Annesley Bentinck colliery; and if he will make it his policy that the present regime will be continued for as long as necessary to prevent such contamination.
332W
§ Mr. AtkinsIt is for British Coal, in consultation with the National Rivers Authority, to assess any environmental effects of colliery closures and to consider what action may need to be taken to avoid water pollution. In the case of the Annesley Bentinck colliery, I understand that the two parties are currently participating in a joint study to assess the environmental consequencies of ceasing minewater pumping.