§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the President of the Board of Trade how many representations he has received in the last three months from businesses wishing(a) to reopen closed pits in Wales and (b) to maintain existing pits under new management; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Eggar[holding answer 4 November 1992]: My Department has not received any representations in the last three months from businesses wishing to reopen closed pits in Wales. It has received a number of representations in relation to taking over existing pits in Wales for operation under new management.
Expressions of interest in pits are a matter for British Coal, which has a duty to consider carefully applications from responsible organisations seeking licences to mine.