§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will ensure that a firm of independent consultants carry out and complete an environmental assessment on both sides of the lower Derwent valley on the effects of coal mining, before permission is granted for any initial bore exploratory tunnels in that region; and if he will make a statement. [8429]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordNo. It is for the mineral planning authority in the first instance to decide whether they require an environmental assessment for this particular planning application. Environmental assessment is required for development which would be likely to have significant effects on the environment. My Department does not consider that the proposal for exploratory tunnels in the Derwent valley area would have such an effect.