§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the President of the Board of Trade who will own mineral property and other rights in disused coal mines after privatisation; and who will authorise the opening.
§ Mr. Charles WardleThe property in all the coal and coal mines in Great Britain previously owned by the British Coal Corporation is now vested in the Coal Authority. Anyone wishing to carry out coal mining operations will need a licence from the Coal Authority, which confers a statutory right to mine; together with a lease of, or other property interest in, the relevant coal. They will also need to obtain other rights and consents which are necessary for the carrying on of coal mining operations, such as planning permission, environmental consents and rights over surface land.