§ Mr. David Watkinsasked the Prime Minister if he will list the responsibilities of the Secretary of State for the Environment for conservation of the environment in relation to open-cast coalmining.
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§ The Prime MinisterUnder the Open-Cast Coal Act, 1958, statutory responsibility for authorising open-cast working by the National Coal Board rests with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry who considers applications in close consultation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment.