To ask the Attorney-General how many cases in respect of mining subsidence damage were referred to the Lands Tribunal in each of the last five years; and how long each took to be resolved.

The number of cases in respect of mining subsidence damage referred to the Lands Tribunal in each of the last five years is given in the table.

Year	Number of cases
1986	23
1987	68
1988	34
1989	26
1990	8

The Lord Chancellor's Department does not keep detailed statistics on the length of time taken to resolve mining subsidence damage cases, but it is estimated that cases are resolved within 12 to 18 months, depending on the length of time it takes the parties to prepare for the hearing.