§ Mr. DuncanTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has for the setting up of the Coal Authority.
§ Mr. EggarThe Coal Industry Bill currently before Parliament includes provisions for setting up the Coal Authority which, among other functions, will be responsible for licensing coal mining operations and granting interests in coal; and taking over British Coal's responsibilities for historic physical liabilities, including subsidence, where these are not transferred to the private sector.
Subject to parliamentary approval of the Coal Industry Bill and granting of Royal Assent, the aim is to establish the authority, and thus the new independent licensing regime, about two months after the Bill receives Royal Assent, though its members may be appointed shortly before that date. The Department has sought provision for the Coal Authority in the 1994–95 estimates. Urgent expenditure, estimated at £500,000, will be met by repayable advance from the contingencies fund.