§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he proposed to reach a decision on further new deep mines in the United Kingdom, including the Vale of Belvoir; and how many appeals have been laid before him (a) for deep mining coal and (b) for opencast workings.
§ Mr. Giles ShawMy right hon. Friend's decision on the Vale of Belvoir was announced on Thursday 25 March. There are no other National Coal Board applications for deep mining currently before him. The board's opencast proposals are determined by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy.
Regarding planning applications by private companies, there is one appeal for a small deep mine awaiting inquiry. There is one opencast appeal at present before my right hon. Friend on which a decision will be taken as soon as possible. A further six opencast appeals have been made and are in various stages of the inquiry process.