Coal: Industry
9th February 2011
Dr Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions she has had with the Welsh Assembly Government on the future of the coal industry in Wales; and if she will make a statement.
Mr David Jones: The Secretary of State for Wales, my right hon. Friend the Member for Chesham and Amersham (Mrs Gillan) and I have regular discussions with Welsh Assembly Government Ministers on a range of issues affecting Wales including the coal industry.
Wales is leading the way by using its natural resources including clean coal, to help tackle one of the greatest challenges facing the global economy-climate change. New technologies being developed mean there is a real prospect of reducing coal emissions to a level comparable to gas, and there are further benefits to be gained from carbon capture.
This, in addition to our continued support for the plans for an open cast operation at Tower Colliery near Hirwaun and a new deep mine on the Port Talbot Steelworks site, means that coal continues to have a future in Wales.
