§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Energy whether the external financing limit of the National Coal Board is likely to be affected by the additional expenditure required to deal with the water problems of Selby.
§ Mr. Giles ShawOn the basis of the information at present available, I do not expect the National Coal Board's external financing limit to be affected by the flooding which has occurred at Selby.
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§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he has received a full report on the damage sustained to the machinery and equipment at Selby as a result of recent flooding; and whether he will make it available to the House.
§ Mr. Giles ShawThe National Coal Board is assessing the damage which has resulted from the recent flooding at the Wistow mine and will let me have a report. I will keep the House informed.
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Energy how many coal mines in the United Kingdom have been seriously affected by flooding; and whether the volume of water has been such to lead to the closure of mines.
§ Mr. Giles ShawThe records of the Health and Safety Executive show that, since 1946, seven instances of serious flooding in coal mines have occurred. None of the affected mines has closed completely or permanently as a result of the floods.