§ 25. Mr. GunnellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to carry out a review of MPG3; and what plans he has to enhance the role of local communities in the granting of permission for opencasting. [470]
§ Mr. CabornI refer my hon. Friend to the response I gave in an Adjournment Debate on this issue on Monday 19 May,Official Report, columns 483–88. I have asked my officials to prepare urgently a plan of action to review the present stance of MPG3 on opencast coal.
§ Mr. StunellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to the oral statement by the Minister of state on 19 May,Official Report, column 488, if he will set out the timetable for the departmental plan of action relating to opencast coal mining; and how he plans to deal with planning appeals currently outstanding. [1211]
§ Mr. RaynsfordMy officials are currently preparing a plan of action as a matter of urgency. Any outstanding appeals will be determined in accordance with the development plan for the area unless material considerations indicate otherwise.