Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what plans she has to tackle risks associated with disused open cast mines; and if she will make a statement.

These are obviously important issues for both the Welsh Assembly and Scottish Governments, and the local authorities who are affected.

In neither case is there a legal responsibility on the UK Government to meet the costs of restoring surface mine sites.

Notwithstanding, I am aware that HM Treasury colleagues are considering proposals put forward for tax exemption related funding in relation to Scotland to address the remediation of former surface mine sites of now insolvent companies. The issues in Wales, although they also relate to remediation, are different in that the relevant site owners are still in existence.