Written question asked by Lord Bannside (Democratic Unionist Party) on Friday, 22 October 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 2 November 2004. It was answered by Lord Spellar (Labour) on Tuesday, 2 November 2004 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Northern Ireland Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will make a statement on his policy on lignite mining.

Answer: Rev. Ian Paisley: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on his policy on lignite mining. [193601] Mr. Spellar: Government policy generally in relation to lignite is reflective of the fact that the extensive reserves are of strategic significance to Northern Ireland. A considerable amount of data has been compiled as a result of exploration activity over the past two decades and this has led the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to suspend the issue of any further prospecting licences for lignite in the Ballymoney area. The position will be reviewed in three years. In the event of a company lodging an application for a mining licence or lease, it will continue to be necessary for that company to obtain planning and other statutory approvals, dependant on the nature of the operation, before a licence or lease would be granted. Planning Policy in relation to lignite mining seeks to balance the economic benefits with environmental effects. Applications would therefore be required to be accompanied by an Environmental Statement which details the likely significant effects of the proposal and mitigation measures.

Secondary information