§ Mr. Mike O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress is being made towards finalising the mineral planning guidance note No. 7; what representations he has received from local authorities regarding the restoration of opencast coal sites; and if he will make a statement. [29276]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordA draft of mineral planning guidance note No. 7 was published for public consultation in December 1995, and comments were requested by 14 February 1996. Responses were received from the local authority associations, three local authorities and the Coalfield Communities Campaign regarding the reclamation of opencast coal sites. Their comments are being carefully considered, alongside all other responses. Revised guidance will be published in due course.