§ Mr. EdwardsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement about the future of opencast coal extraction. [39510]
§ Mr. RaynsfordMy hon. Friend the Minister for the Regions, Regeneration and Planning announced on 4 March 1998,Official Report, column 65, that there would be a full review of Minerals Planning Guidance Note 3 on Coal Mining and Colliery Spoil Disposal. This will run in conjunction with the present review of energy policy, will take into account its conclusions, and will apply to England. The energy policy review will in turn take into account the planning issues raised by coal extraction. Policy on opencast coal extraction in Wales and Scotland are matters for my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Wales and the Secretary of State for Scotland respectively.