Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

[**Avis juridique important**](../../../editorial/legal_notice.htm)

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# 91996E0445

**WRITTEN QUESTION No. 445/96 by Glyn FORD to the Commission. Free Miners of the Forest of Dean, UK** 
  
*Official Journal C 185 , 25/06/1996 P. 0059*

  

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0445/96 by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission (29 February 1996)

Subject: Free Miners of the Forest of Dean, UK

'Free Miners' are a traditional group of workers comprising those born in the 'hundred' of St. Briavels in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England who have worked in the mines for a year and a day. Over seven centuries, since 1283, such people have had the right to mine freely within the Forest. Now a private company wants to impose enormous licensing fees, effectively closing the two remaining mines in the area.

Does the Commission not feel such a manoeuvre is in contravention of both tradition and competition rules?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission (26 March 1996)

On the privatisation of the British coal industry responsibility for all licensing coal mining in the United Kingdom was passed to the Coal authority, an independent institution set up by statute.

The Commission understands that the free miners in the Forest of Dean have been treated in the same way as other companies or individuals seeking licences to extract coal. It further understands that the Coal authority is considering whether special arrangements could be made for the free miners in view of the extremely small quantities of coal they produce.

There appear to be no grounds to conclude that there is any discrimination against the free miners or any other breach of the Community's competition rules.

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