§ Mr. BettsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he became aware of the transfer of the opencast contract at Tinsley, Sheffield to RJB Mining; when he was officially informed of it; and when he approved it. [24411]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordMy Department became aware of the proposed transfer of the opencast contract at Tinsley to RJB Mining in December 1991 when informed by Sheffield development corporation. As set out in my answer to the hon. Member on 9 May,Official Report, column 421, no approval was required.