Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the letter from the Minister of State for Energy, Clean Growth and Climate Change to the Welsh Minister for Climate Change, dated 7 January 2022, what steps he is taking to work with the Welsh Government in order to quickly clarify responsibilities for (a) approving and (b) cancelling the licence for the Aberpergwm coal mine.

The Coal Authority approved the application for the expansion of the Aberpergwm mine on 25 January 2022. The approved licence is with the operator for final checks and confirmation. If appropriate confirmation is received the licence will then be granted and issued. This is the final step in allowing expansion of the existing mine. There are no plans to cancel the licence for the existing Aberpergwm coal mine.