asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with British Petroleum Coal about the cost and supply of lignite to power stations in Northern Ireland.

The Department of Economic Development is currently examing proposals for the construction of new generating capacity in Northern Ireland, which could be based on lignite, and has a responsibility for licensing the mining of lignite. It is therefore in close contact with the development of plans by British Petroleum Coal to mine lignite and the progress of discussions on price and other terms of supply.