§ Mr. HealeyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what conclusions he has reached following his consultations in 1997 in reviewing planning policy on opencast coal. [33127]
§ Mr. CabornMy right hon. Friend, the Deputy Prime Minister, has taken into account the responses to the consultation on planning policy on opencast coal conducted last year, and the announcement last December by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister of a full review of energy policy. In consultation with his colleagues he has concluded that there should be a full review of Minerals Planning Guidance Note 3 on Coal Mining and Colliery Spoil Disposal. This will run in conjunction with the present review of energy policy, and will take into account its conclusions. The energy policy review will in turn take into account the planning issues raised by coal extraction, including the issues on opencast coal dealt with in the 1997 consultation paper.