§ Mr. MealeTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will extend the date for receipt of evidence submitted to his Department for its consultation paper, "Coal Mining Subsidence Compensation: Proposals For Legislation" until the autumn.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerNo; the deadline of three months from the issuing of the paper is a reasonable time to allow interested parties to comment.
The Department is, however, always pleased to have the views of those with an interest in coal mining subsidence and where possible to take these into account.
§ Mr. MealeTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will direct British Coal to make available to the owners of properties thought to be damaged by coal mining subsidence reports commissioned by the corporation with outside agencies or consultancies.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerNo. Such reports belong to British Coal. This is a matter for the corporation.