HC Deb 15 February 1996 vol 271 c661W
Mr. Pike

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate has been made of the cost of eliminating(a) minewater pollution and (b) minewater discharges on a regional basis; and if he will make a statement. [14935]

Mr. Clappison

Discharges from operational mines are regulated in the same way as other discharges to controlled waters. As regards pollution from abandoned coal mines, the Coal Authority, in consultation with the National Rivers Authority, is in the process of assessing the cost of dealing with water pollution at a number of key sites. So far as discharges from other types of abandoned mines are concerned, it has not been practicable to make a general assessment of the cost of eliminating them. However, in the case of watercourses affected by discharges from the Wheal Jane tin mine in Cornwall, I understand that the National Rivers Authority has so far spent approximately £9 million on the treatment of minewater, and is currently assessing the cost of that treatment in the future.

Mr. Pike

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received in respect of minewater pollution with particular reference to discharges produced by abandoned mines; and if he will make a statement. [14934]

Mr. Clappison

In the last six months, my Department has received three representations relating to the provisions on pollution from abandoned mines in the Environment Act 1995.