§ Mr. Richard Shepherdasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he is satisfied with the level of coal stocks and with coal output levels; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John Moore, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 27 June 1979], gave the following further answer:
I have no present intention to change the existing statutory provisions that the National Coal Board may grant a licence for the working and getting of coal in a mine where the number of persons to be employed below ground is at no time likely to exceed, or greatly to exceed 30, or which is to be worked by opencast operations where the amount is not likely to exceed, or greatly to exceed, 25,000 tonnes.