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 Answer of 6 April 2022 to Question 149218 on Coal Authority: Climate Change, whether it is his policy that the climate emergency is an exceptional circumstance when considering the powers of the direction.

Any proposals for new coal extraction projects would be assessed in accordance with the Coal Authority’s duties under the Coal Industry Act 1994 - which do not involve a formal role for BEIS Ministers. Powers of direction can be used where the Secretary of State considers that the Coal Authority has erred in the carrying out of its duties.