§ Mr. Heddleasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list those countries in the European Economic Community where coal is mined on a commercial scale, indicating in each case whether or not the owners or operators of the coal mines are liable for all mining subsidence damage, including consequential loss and depreciation in value of property.
§ Mr. John MooreFour countries, other than the United Kingdom, produce coal on a commercial scale in the European Economic Community: France, Federal Republic of Germany, Belgium and the Republic of Ireland. The regime governing liability for mining subsidence damage in each of these is as follows:
315WFrance: Mine operators are responsible for all material damage resulting from mining operations, but are not normally responsible for non-material damage.
Federal Republic of Germany: Current law varies from region to region, with responsibility for all damage, in the majority of cases, falling on the owner of the land being mined and the mine operator. From 1 January 1982, a new federal law makes mine operators responsible for all damage resulting from mining operations.
Belgium: Mining companies are responsible for all damage caused by mining operations including depreciation if it was shown that this was directly caused by mining activities.
Republic of Ireland: There is no specific legislation relating to mining subsidence.