§ Lord Spensasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are satisfied that the quality of the coal produced from the following individual deep mines of the "Selby Complex" coalfield can be established with sufficient accuracy to satisfy the viability and profitability tests likely to be required for any privatisation proposals: (a) Wistow, (b) Stillingfleet, (c) Ricall, (d) Whitemoor, (e) North Selby.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Strathclyde)Operational matters relating to individual mines are a matter for British Coal. However, the Government has appointed independent mining consultants, John T Boyd Company, who, as part of the preparations for privatisation, will review British Coal's assessment of coal reserves at individual mines.
§ Lord Spensasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the coal production of the five mines of the "Selby Complex" coalfield currently reflects the quality and specification demanded by the power generators—in particular the Drax power station—and, if this is the case, whether this can be maintained for the foreseeable future.
§ Lord StrathclydeContractual arrangements between British Coal and the generators, including National Power, which owns Drax power station, are a commercial matter for the industry. However, I understand that British Coal has contracts covering a substantial part of the output of the Selby Complex through to 1998. Quality improvements in terms of ash content of the product are sought and I understand that British Coal has in hand a scheme to achieve this, subject to obtaining the necessary planning consents.
§ Lord Spensasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are satisfied that all the mines comprising the "Selby Complex" coalfield have a long-term future after privatisation.
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§ Lord StrathclydeThe future of individual pits is an operational matter for British Coal, and after privatisation, for successor companies.
§ Lord Spensasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether spoil from the "Selby Complex" is being deposited at Gascoigne Wood and, if this is the case, whether this action is consistent with current planning consents.
§ Lord StrathclydeThis is an operational matter for the British Coal Corporation. I have therefore asked the chairman of British Coal to write to the noble Lord. The terms of planning consents are a matter for the relevant planning authority.