To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how the interim opencast planning guidelines will influence the output of opencast coal.
Neither the planning system in general, nor the interim guidance which my right hon. and learned Friend announced on 25 March, set limits on or targets for coal production. Planning permissions for coal extraction depend upon the extent to which the inductry bring forward proposals which are acceptable in land use planning terms having regard to all material considerations, including the interim guidance.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he will take to encourage local authorities to use British coal.
It is for local authorities to make their own decisions in purchasing goods and services, subject to the requirements of law and financial propriety. Authorities may not discriminate on the basis of the country of origin of supplies, since this would be contrary to part II of the Local Government Act 1988, the Public Supply Contracts Regulations 1991 and the treaty of Rome.