HC Deb 03 August 1976 vol 916 cc696-7W
Mr. Tim Renton

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what are the current and prospective levels of opencast coal-mining; and what are the estimated levels of profitability after taking account of the National Coal Board's costs incurred in the restoration of opencast sites.

Mr. Eadie

Total opencast coal production was some 10½ million tons in 1975–76 and it is currently running at an annual rate of about 12 million tons. The aim is to increase this to 15 million tons a year. The financial results for each area, which reflect the cost of restoring sites, are given on page 38 of the National Coal Board's Annual Report and Accounts for 1975–76.

Mr. Tim Renton

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will reconsider his decision to permit opencast coal mining at Kingswood in view of the high level of pithead and distributed coal stocks and the adverse recommendations of the inspector following a local inquiry.

Mr. Eadie

No. These factors were taken fully into account before the decision was taken.

Mr. Tim Renton

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what assessment he makes of the trends in coal output, consumption, stocks and industry profitability when deciding to use his powers to facilitate opencast mining; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Eadie

Factors such as these form an important part of the assessment of the need for the coal, and it is on the basis of a judgment of the balance between this and any damage likely to be caused to the local amenity together with any long-term beneficial effects that may be expected that decisions on applications to work sites for opencast coal are taken.

Mr. Tim Renton

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list the occasions during the last 12 months when he has exercised his powers to ensure that opencast coal mining should proceed notwithstanding a contrary recommendation by the inspector following a public inquiry; and what are his reasons for such action.

Mr. Eadie

The two sites known as Kingswood, Staffordshire, and Glyn Glas South Extension, Dyfed. The reasons were given in the decision letters, copies of which I am sending to the hon. Member. Working of two other sites was authorised where the inspectors did not make any recommendation.