SCOTLAND'S energy minister has been come under fire for failing to give a clear commitment over financial assistance to restore disused opencast coal mining sites.
The rebuff came after Fergus Ewing made a fresh plea to UK Energy Minister Michael Fallon to ensure at least some of the levies raised from coal produced in Scotland be made available to restore sites. But it has been pointed out that the £15 million Mr Ewing says has come from levies so far is a "drop in the ocean" compared to the £200m shortfall in the amount set aside by coal firms to restore former mines because insurance policies intended to pay for restoration work might be "almost worthless".
Sandra Osborne, the Labour MP for Carrick and Cumnock, one of the constituency most affected by the restoration issues, said:"The responsibility for mine restoration falls squarely on the shoulders of the Scottish Government as contained in the Scotland Act.
"But if you look at the agenda, minutes, reports etc of the coal taskforce there is no mention of funding."
A Scottish Government spokesman said: "It is only fair that the UK Government should ensure that coal levies raised from coal produced in Scotland be made available to restore opencast sites in Scotland. We will continue to work with the Scottish Coal Taskforce to do all we can to move forward with restoration of opencast coal mines."
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