Opencast Coal Extraction (Hansard, 30 July 1997)

§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (Baroness Hayman)

We have published a consultation document on the review of planning policy for opencast coal today. This consultation paper, which deals with England only, seeks views on the issues raised by the 10-point plan for opencast coal which we prepared when in Opposition, and the options for change. In the light of responses to this consultation, the Government will decide what changes to policy guidance could and should be implemented in interim planning guidance; which would better be accommodated in a full review, planned for 1998, of Minerals Planning Guidance Note 3 (Coal Mining and Colliery Spoil Disposal), and whether any legislative changes are necessary or desirable in the long term. Copies of the consultation document will be placed in the House Library.

My honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland expects to publish shortly an equivalent paper for Scotland.