§ Mr. Cormackasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will take steps to make all mineral operators responsible for the restoration of the areas they work.
§ Mr. Graham PagePlanning authorities already have powers to impose conditions requiring appropriate restoration when granting planning permission for mineral workings. The Committee on Minerals Planning Control, under the chairmanship of Sir Roger Stevens, is examining the operation of these powers and will in due course report to my right hon. and learned Friend and to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Wales. We shall then consider whether any further action is necessary.