§ Mr. GroganTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress the Government have made in reviewing their policy on minewater pollution from abandoned mines. [62291]
§ Mr. BattleThe Government have reviewed their policy on water pollution from abandoned coal mines. I have written to the Chairman of the Authority setting out my views, and my commitment to the Authority's programme of preventing and treating significant water pollution from long-abandoned mines.
The Authority should also give a high priority to carrying out appropriate research, monitoring and preventive work and early treatment into pollution from more recently abandoned mines. These activities will be carried out in close collaboration with the Environment Agency and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. The Coal Authority will have a separate minewater budget within its Grant-in-Aid to ensure that the Authority's other activities do not adversely affect its minewater programme, and that any emergencies can be dealt with.
The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, the Welsh Office and the Environment Agency, and the Scottish Office and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency are monitoring recently abandoned non-coal mines where there is a risk of pollution, with a view to taking appropriate action where no private operator is legally liable.
Copies of my letter to the Chairman of the Authority have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.