§ Sir John Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will place in the Library a map of the Province showing the known deposits of lignite; and if he will make a statement about their exploitation.
§ Dr. BoysonUntil further work has been done by the private sector it will not be possible to provide a precise estimate or a definitive map of all the lignite deposits in the province. I have asked the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland to prepare for the Library a broadly indicative map which will show the general areas in which deposits have been located. In addition to the Crumlin deposit, for part of which a mining licence was issued in May 1984, further deposits were identified during an exploratory shallow drilling programme commissioned by the Department of Economic Development. The results of that programme were made available in November 1984 for purchase by the mining industry so that it can apply for prospecting licences by 28 June 1985 and undertake the detailed investigation and further exploration work that is now necessary to evaluate the precise size of deposits and their economic and commercial potential.