§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what studies have been undertaken into the costs associated with re-opening deep-mine coalfields and the feasibility of such operations.
§ Mr. EggarBritish Coal has gained significant experience of the feasibility and cost of putting closed deep mines on to a care and maintenance basis with a view to possible re-opening. In recent years four major closed mines—Carway Drift, Frances, Monktonhall and Thorne —have been put on to a care and maintenance basis and one—Monktonhall—is being prepared for re-opening by the Monktonhall Mineworkers Consortium.