HC Deb 23 April 1993 vol 223 cc255-6W
Mr. Cummings

To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he expects the six mothballed collieries to be licensed to the private sector.

Mr. Eggar

The timing of possible licensing to the private sector of those pits being placed on a care and maintenance basis by British Coal is a matter for British Coal, but I expect progress to be rapid.

Mr. Cummings

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions he has had with representatives of private mining companies which have expressed an interest in the collieries scheduled for mothballing or closure.

Mr. Eggar

My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade and I have recently had a number of discussions with representatives of the private mining sector about a range of matters. The licensing to the private sector of pits which British Coal no longer wishes to operate is, of course, the responsibility of British Coal.