§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) in how many opencast coal mining operations in the United Kingdom fireclay is associated with coal measures; and in how many instances it has been provided that coal should be worked only providing provision has been made for the recovery of associated minerals;
(2) what steps he proposes to take to ensure that valuable fireclay reserves associated with coal measures in opencast sites are preserved; and what representations have been made to him on this 927W on this subject by the National Federation of Clay Industries and other associations;
(3) if he will give a general direction that the National Coal Board should consult clay users before authorising opencast mining sites in order to avoid irreparable loss of finite and valuable reserves of fire-clay during opencast mining operations and while separate planning applications are being processed by county councils;
(4) whether, in mining coal measures which are associated with fireclay reserves, it is his policy that the National Coal Board should ensure that fireclay is worked in conjunction or simultaneously with the extraction of coal thus making both mineral resources available for the benefit of the national economy;
(5) what is the Government's policy on the working of coal in association with fireclay resources under the provisions of section 10 of the Coal Industry Act 1977; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure that fireclay reserves should not be abandoned during coal extraction in opencast mining operations.
§ Mr. Eadie:A total of 44 opencast sites authorised by the Secretary of State and currently producing coal have provision in the contract for the winning of fireclay.
In the case of deep mining, I am informed by the National Coal Board that fireclay does sometimes exist near coal seams but that present mining methods do not make it possible to extract it with the coal.
I am writing to the hon. Member on the procedural issues which he raises.