OpenLegislation

Coal Industry Act 1994 in Wales

1994 c. 21 · Enacted 5 July 1994 · Extends to United Kingdom

Not fully up to date. 17 changes made by later legislation have not yet been written into this text, which is revised to 6 April 2026.

See the changes not yet applied
ProvisionChangeMade by
s. 59(3)(g)insertedDisused Mine and Quarry Tips (Wales) Act 2025 Sch. 1 para. 21
s. 39(5)words substitutedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 289(b)
s. 41(6)words insertedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 290(a)
s. 41(6)words substitutedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 290(b)
s. 53(4)words insertedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 291(2)(a)
s. 53(4)words omittedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 291(2)(b)(i)
s. 53(4)words substitutedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 291(2)(b)(ii)
s. 53(4)words insertedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 291(3)(a)
s. 53(4)words insertedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 291(3)(b)(i)
s. 53(4)words insertedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 291(3)(b)(ii)
s. 54(6)words insertedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 292(a)(i)
s. 54(6)(a)words omittedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 292(a)(ii)
s. 54(6)(aa)insertedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 292(a)(iii)
s. 54(7)(a)words omittedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 292(b)(i)
s. 54(7)(aa)insertedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 292(b)(ii)
s. 39(5)words insertedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 289(a)
s. 54(8)insertedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 292(c)

An Act to provide for the establishment and functions of a body to be known as the Coal Authority; to provide for the restructuring of the coal industry, for transfers of the property, rights and liabilities of the British Coal Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries to other persons and for the dissolution of that Corporation; to abolish the Domestic Coal Consumers’ Council; to make provision for the licensing of coal-mining operations and provision otherwise in relation to the carrying on of such operations; to amend the Coal Mining Subsidence Act 1991 and the Opencast Coal Act 1958; and for connected purposes.

[5th July 1994] C1

Be it enacted by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

Annotations to the whole text

Modifications

C1

Act amended (1.4.1996) by S.I. 1996/593, reg. 2, Sch. 1

Contents

  1. Part I: Re-organisation of Coal Industry
  2. The Coal Authority
  3. 1Establishment of the Coal Authority.
  4. 2Duties of the Authority with respect to licensing.
  5. 3Duties of the Authority with respect to property.
  6. 4Duty of the Authority with respect to safety.
  7. 4APower of the Authority with respect to coal mine water discharge
  8. 4BCoal mine water discharge: powers of entry
  9. 4CCoal mine water discharge: compulsory purchase of land
  10. 4CAFurther powers relating to subsidence and water discharge
  11. 4DPower of the Authority with respect to coal mine water discharge: Scotland
  12. 4GFurther powers relating to subsidence and water discharge: Scotland
  13. 5General powers of the Authority.
  14. 6Directions to the Authority by the Secretary of State.
  15. The Corporation’s exploitation rights
  16. 7Exploitation rights: general.
  17. 8Exploitation rights: territorial waters and continental shelf.
  18. 9Exploitation rights: oil and gas.
  19. 10Protection for certain interests in coal and coal mines.
  20. Restructuring of the Corporation’s undertaking
  21. 11Restructuring of the Corporation’s functions.
  22. 12Restructuring schemes in relation to property etc.
  23. 13Agreements with respect to restructuring schemes.
  24. 14Duty to assist in preparation of restructuring schemes.
  25. The Corporation’s successors
  26. 15Financial structure of successor companies.
  27. 16Target investment limit for Government holding in successor companies.
  28. Financial arrangements in connection with restructuring
  29. 17Grant-making powers.
  30. 18Residual payments grant.
  31. 19Concessionary coal.
  32. 20Extinguishment of loans to the Corporation.
  33. 21Taxation effects of restructuring.
  34. 22Pensions and miners’ welfare organisations.
  35. Reduction in membership and dissolution of the Corporation
  36. 23Reduction in membership and dissolution of the Corporation.
  37. Abolition of the Domestic Coal Consumers’ Council
  38. 24Abolition of the Domestic Coal Consumers’ Council. Repealed
  39. Part II: Licensing of Coal-mining Operations
  40. Coal-mining operations to be licensed
  41. 25Coal-mining operations to be licensed.
  42. Licences under Part II
  43. 26Grant of licences.
  44. 26ALicences for coal-mining operations in Wales: approval by Welsh Ministers
  45. 27Authorisation contained in licence.
  46. 28Conditions of licence: general.
  47. 29Conditions for the provision of security.
  48. 30Publication of licensing arrangements.
  49. Enforcement
  50. 31Enforcement orders.
  51. 32Procedural requirements for enforcement orders.
  52. 33Validity and effect of enforcement orders.
  53. 34Power to require information for the purposes of enforcement.
  54. Supplemental
  55. 35Register of licences and orders.
  56. 36Insolvency of licensed operators etc.
  57. Part III: Rights and Obligations in connection with Coal Mining
  58. Areas of responsibility
  59. 37Areas of responsibility.
  60. Withdrawal of support from land
  61. 38Rights to withdraw support.
  62. 39Notices under section 38.
  63. 40Savings for special cases.
  64. 41Revocation of right to withdraw support.
  65. Subsidence
  66. 42Subsidence damage to which 1991 Act applies.
  67. 43Persons responsible for subsidence.
  68. 44Cases where there is more than one responsible person.
  69. 45Information to be provided by responsible persons.
  70. 46The subsidence adviser.
  71. 47Disputes etc. as to subsidence matters.
  72. 48Offences with respect to subsidence information.
  73. Rights in relation to former copyhold land
  74. 49Rights to work coal in former copyhold land.
  75. 50Notices under section 49.
  76. Additional rights in relation to underground land
  77. 51Additional rights in relation to underground land.
  78. Opencast operations
  79. 52Opencast operations.
  80. Protection of the environment
  81. 53Environmental duties in connection with planning.
  82. 54Obligations to restore land affected by coal-mining operations.
  83. Health and safety regulations as to rescue service
  84. 55Health and safety regulations as to rescue service.
  85. Registration of rights
  86. 56Registration of rights.
  87. Part IV: General and Supplemental
  88. Information provisions
  89. 57Public access to information held by the Authority.
  90. 58Liability for inaccurate information furnished to the Authority.
  91. 59Information to be kept confidential by the Authority.
  92. 60Annual report of the Authority.
  93. 61Report on financial assistance for coal-mining museums.
  94. Supplemental
  95. 62Financial provisions.
  96. 63Provisions relating to the service of documents.
  97. 64Offences by bodies corporate etc.
  98. 65Interpretation.
  99. 65AShadow directors
  100. 66Crown application.
  101. 67Amendments, transitional provisions, savings and repeals.
  102. 68Short title, commencement and extent.
  103. Schedule 1: The Coal Authority
  104. Part I: Organisation and Proceedings
  105. Membership
  106. 1Paragraph 1
  107. Remuneration, pensions etc.
  108. 2Paragraph 2
  109. Staff
  110. 3Paragraph 3
  111. Proceedings of Authority
  112. 4Paragraph 4
  113. Delegation of powers
  114. 5Paragraph 5
  115. Interests of members
  116. 6Paragraph 6
  117. Vacancies and defective appointments
  118. 7Paragraph 7
  119. Minutes
  120. 8Paragraph 8
  121. Application of seal and proof of instruments
  122. 9Paragraph 9
  123. The Parliamentary Commissioner
  124. 10Paragraph 10
  125. Parliamentary disqualification etc.
  126. 11Paragraph 11
  127. Interpretation
  128. 12Paragraph 12
  129. Part II: Financial Provisions
  130. Financial duties
  131. 13Paragraph 13
  132. Finances of the Authority
  133. 14Paragraph 14
  134. Accounts
  135. 15Paragraph 15
  136. Schedule 1A: Supplemental provisions with respect to powers of entry
  137. Interpretation
  138. 1Paragraph 1
  139. Issue of warrants
  140. 2Paragraph 2
  141. Manner of exercise of powers
  142. 3Paragraph 3
  143. Duty to secure premises
  144. 4Paragraph 4
  145. Compensation
  146. 5Paragraph 5
  147. Schedule 1B: Modification of compensation provisions etc in relation to the creation of new rights
  148. Compensation enactments
  149. 1Paragraph 1
  150. Adaptation of the Compulsory Purchase Act 1965
  151. 2Paragraph 2
  152. Section 7 of the 1965 Act
  153. 3Paragraph 3
  154. Section 8 of the 1965 Act
  155. 4Paragraph 4
  156. Effect of deed poll
  157. 5Paragraph 5
  158. Section 11 of the 1965 Act
  159. 6Paragraph 6
  160. Section 20 of the 1965 Act
  161. 7Paragraph 7
  162. Section 22 of the 1965 Act
  163. 8Paragraph 8
  164. Exercise of powers of entry etc.
  165. 1Paragraph 1
  166. Warrants
  167. 2Paragraph 2
  168. Schedule 2: Restructuring schemes
  169. Contents and effect of scheme
  170. 1Paragraph 1
  171. Division of property by scheme
  172. 2Paragraph 2
  173. Property to which a scheme may relate
  174. 3Paragraph 3
  175. Supplemental provisions of schemes
  176. 4Paragraph 4
  177. Duties in relation to foreign property etc.
  178. 5Paragraph 5
  179. Modification of effect of scheme by agreement
  180. 6Paragraph 6
  181. The Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981
  182. 7Paragraph 7
  183. Compensation
  184. 8Paragraph 8
  185. Notice to persons affected by scheme
  186. 9Paragraph 9
  187. Schedule 3: Financial structure of successor companies
  188. Meaning of “relevant successor company”
  189. 1Paragraph 1
  190. Initial Government holding in companies
  191. 2Paragraph 2
  192. Government investment in companies
  193. 3Paragraph 3
  194. Exercise of functions through nominees
  195. 4Paragraph 4
  196. Payment of dividends etc. into Consolidated Fund
  197. 5Paragraph 5
  198. Distributable reserves of companies
  199. 6Paragraph 6
  200. Temporary restrictions on borrowing of companies
  201. 7Paragraph 7
  202. Government lending to the companies
  203. 8Paragraph 8
  204. Treasury guarantees for loans made to companies
  205. 9Paragraph 9
  206. Limit on Government financial assistance for companies
  207. 10Paragraph 10
  208. Schedule 4: Taxation Provisions
  209. Part I: Corporation Tax
  210. Interpretation of Part I
  211. 1Paragraph 1
  212. Chargeable gains: general
  213. 2Paragraph 2
  214. Chargeable gains: compensation and insurance money
  215. 3Paragraph 3
  216. Chargeable gains: section 30 of the 1992 Act
  217. 4Paragraph 4
  218. Chargeable gains: section 41 of the 1992 Act
  219. 5Paragraph 5
  220. Chargeable gains: options
  221. 6Paragraph 6
  222. Chargeable gains: roll-over relief
  223. 7Paragraph 7
  224. Chargeable gains: group transactions
  225. 8Paragraph 8
  226. Chargeable gains: disposal of debts
  227. 9Paragraph 9
  228. Chargeable gains: assets held before 6th April 1965
  229. 10Paragraph 10
  230. Transfers of trading stock
  231. 11Paragraph 11
  232. Transfer of rights to receipts
  233. 12Paragraph 12
  234. Transfer of liabilities
  235. 13Paragraph 13
  236. Losses to be retained by the predecessor
  237. 14Paragraph 14
  238. Section 35 of the 1988 Act
  239. 15Paragraph 15
  240. Group relief
  241. 16Paragraph 16
  242. Special provision for successor companies
  243. 17Paragraph 17
  244. Leased assets
  245. 18Paragraph 18
  246. Continuity in relation to capital allowances etc. where trade transferred
  247. 19Paragraph 19
  248. Capital allowances in cases where paragraph 19 does not apply
  249. 20Paragraph 20
  250. Capital allowances in cases where interests created by restructuring scheme
  251. 21Paragraph 21
  252. Capital allowances for machinery and plant: connected persons
  253. 22Paragraph 22
  254. Exchange gains and losses
  255. 23Paragraph 23
  256. Transfers of property in coal and lease back etc.
  257. 24Paragraph 24
  258. Modifications of restructuring scheme
  259. 25Paragraph 25
  260. Part II: Stamp Duty and Stamp Duty Reserve Tax
  261. Transactions attracting exemptions
  262. 26Paragraph 26
  263. Stamp duty
  264. 27Paragraph 27
  265. Stamp duty reserve tax
  266. 28Paragraph 28
  267. Schedule 5: Pensions Provision in connection with Restructuring
  268. Interpretation of Schedule
  269. 1Paragraph 1
  270. Modification of existing schemes
  271. 2Paragraph 2
  272. Replacement schemes for employees transferred to the private sector etc.
  273. 3Paragraph 3
  274. Protection for rights under private sector schemes
  275. 4Paragraph 4
  276. General provisions
  277. 5Paragraph 5
  278. Schedule 6: Further modifications of the 1991 Act
  279. 1Paragraph 1
  280. 2Paragraph 2
  281. 3Paragraph 3
  282. 4Paragraph 4
  283. 5Paragraph 5
  284. 6Paragraph 6
  285. 7Paragraph 7
  286. 8Paragraph 8
  287. 9Paragraph 9
  288. 10Paragraph 10
  289. 11Paragraph 11
  290. 12Paragraph 12
  291. Schedule 7: Retained Interests in Copyhold Land
  292. Part I: Claims in respect of Retained Interests
  293. Application of Part I
  294. 1Paragraph 1
  295. Form of claim
  296. 2Paragraph 2
  297. Acceptance or rejection of claim
  298. 3Paragraph 3
  299. Payment of costs of establishing claim
  300. 4Paragraph 4
  301. Challenge of rejection notice
  302. 5Paragraph 5
  303. Compensation
  304. 6Paragraph 6
  305. Persons entitled to compensation
  306. 7Paragraph 7
  307. Agreements with respect to compensation
  308. 8Paragraph 8
  309. Notice of compensation
  310. 9Paragraph 9
  311. Part II: Other Provisions
  312. Saving for rights to dispose of retained interests
  313. 10Paragraph 10
  314. Pre-1975 Act orders under the Mines (Working Facilities and Support) Act 1966
  315. 11Paragraph 11
  316. Transitional provisions
  317. 12Paragraph 12
  318. Schedule 8: Amendments of the Opencast Coal Act 1958
  319. Introduction
  320. 1Paragraph 1
  321. Power to make compulsory rights orders
  322. 2Paragraph 2
  323. Effect of orders
  324. 3Paragraph 3
  325. Limitations on effect of orders
  326. 4Paragraph 4
  327. Limited compulsory rights orders
  328. 5Paragraph 5
  329. Provisions as to other minerals, timber, crops, etc.
  330. 6Paragraph 6
  331. Registration of orders in Scotland
  332. 7Paragraph 7
  333. Removal of chattels from land
  334. 8Paragraph 8
  335. Apparatus of statutory undertakers
  336. 9Paragraph 9
  337. Agricultural tenancies in England and Wales
  338. 10Paragraph 10
  339. Agricultural tenancies in Scotland
  340. 11Paragraph 11
  341. Suspension of rights of way
  342. 12Paragraph 12
  343. Supplementary provisions about suspension of rights of way
  344. 13Paragraph 13
  345. Orders conferring rights for drainage or water supply purposes
  346. 14Paragraph 14
  347. Annual compensation
  348. 15Paragraph 15
  349. Calculation of compensation
  350. 16Paragraph 16
  351. 17Paragraph 17
  352. Terminal compensation
  353. 18Paragraph 18
  354. Compensation in respect of agricultural land
  355. 19Paragraph 19
  356. Compensation for short term improvements etc.
  357. 20Paragraph 20
  358. Compensation in respect of forced sales
  359. 21Paragraph 21
  360. Compensation: definition of holding
  361. 22Paragraph 22
  362. Compensation in respect of easements and other rights
  363. 23Paragraph 23
  364. Compensation in respect of disposable minerals
  365. 24Paragraph 24
  366. Compensation for depreciation of land in same ownership
  367. 25Paragraph 25
  368. Time when compensation accrues
  369. 26Paragraph 26
  370. Records of condition of land
  371. 27Paragraph 27
  372. Protection of land from compulsory purchase
  373. 28Paragraph 28
  374. Entry on land
  375. 29Paragraph 29
  376. Claims for compensation
  377. 30Paragraph 30
  378. Compensation in respect of property held for religious purposes
  379. 31Paragraph 31
  380. Provision in respect of mortgaged land
  381. 32Paragraph 32
  382. Crown land
  383. 33Paragraph 33
  384. Telecommunication apparatus
  385. 34Paragraph 34
  386. Provisions as to regulations, orders etc.
  387. 35Paragraph 35
  388. Interpretation
  389. 36Paragraph 36
  390. Application to Scotland
  391. 37Paragraph 37
  392. Procedure for compulsory rights orders in Scotland
  393. 38Paragraph 38
  394. Other provisions with respect to the procedure for compulsory rights orders
  395. 39Paragraph 39
  396. Compensation by way of payment for costs of works
  397. 40Paragraph 40
  398. Compensation in respect of minerals
  399. 41Paragraph 41
  400. Application of Schedule 6 to Scotland
  401. 42Paragraph 42
  402. Tenancies of allotment gardens and other allotments
  403. 43Paragraph 43
  404. Schedule 9: Minor and Consequential Amendments
  405. The Land Registration Act 1925 (c. 21)
  406. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  407. The Requisitioned Land and War Works Act 1945 (c. 43)
  408. 2Paragraph 2
  409. The Statistics of Trade Act 1947 (c. 39)
  410. 3Paragraph 3
  411. 4Paragraph 4
  412. The Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 (c. 56)
  413. 5Paragraph 5
  414. The Public Records Act 1958 (c. 51)
  415. 6Paragraph 6 Not yet in force
  416. The Public Health Act 1961 (c. 64)
  417. 7Paragraph 7
  418. The Licensing Act 1964 (c. 26)
  419. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  420. The Gas Act 1965 (c. 36)
  421. 9Paragraph 9
  422. The Mines (Working Facilities and Support) Act 1966 (c. 4)
  423. 10Paragraph 10
  424. The Land Commission Act 1967 (c. 1)
  425. 11Paragraph 11
  426. The Gaming Act 1968 (c. 65)
  427. 12Paragraph 12 Repealed
  428. The Fair Trading Act 1973 (c. 41)
  429. 14Paragraph 14 Repealed
  430. The Consumer Credit Act 1974 (c. 39)
  431. 15Paragraph 15 Repealed
  432. The Welsh Development Agency Act 1975 (c. 70)
  433. 16Paragraph 16
  434. The Restrictive Trade Practices Act 1976 (c. 34)
  435. 17Paragraph 17
  436. The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 (c.57)
  437. 18Paragraph 18
  438. The Development of Rural Wales Act 1976 (c. 75)
  439. 19Paragraph 19
  440. The Estate Agents Act 1979 (c. 38)
  441. 21Paragraph 21 Repealed
  442. The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 (c.46)
  443. 22Paragraph 22
  444. The Competition Act 1980 (c. 21)
  445. 23Paragraph 23 Repealed
  446. The Overseas Development and Co-operation Act 1980 (c. 63)
  447. 24Paragraph 24
  448. The Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980 (c. 65)
  449. 25Paragraph 25
  450. The Highways Act 1980 (c. 66)
  451. 26Paragraph 26
  452. The Acquisition of Land Act 1981 (c. 67)
  453. 27Paragraph 27
  454. 28Paragraph 28
  455. The National Audit Act 1983 (c. 44)
  456. 29Paragraph 29
  457. The Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (c. 27)
  458. 30Paragraph 30
  459. 31Paragraph 31
  460. The Companies Act 1985 (c. 6)
  461. 32Paragraph 32 Repealed
  462. The Housing Act 1985 (c. 68)
  463. 33Paragraph 33
  464. The Weights and Measures Act 1985 (c. 72)
  465. 34Paragraph 34
  466. The Agricultural Holdings Act 1986 (c. 5)
  467. 35Paragraph 35
  468. The Coal Industry Act 1987 (c. 3)
  469. 36Paragraph 36
  470. The Housing Act 1988 (c. 50)
  471. 37Paragraph 37
  472. The Electricity Act 1989 (c. 29)
  473. 38Paragraph 38
  474. 39Paragraph 39
  475. The Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 (c. 9)
  476. 40Paragraph 40
  477. The Coal Mining Subsidence Act 1991 (c. 45)
  478. 41Paragraph 41
  479. The Water Industry Act 1991 (c. 56)
  480. 42Paragraph 42
  481. The Water Resources Act 1991 (c. 57)
  482. 43Paragraph 43
  483. The Land Drainage Act 1991 (c. 59)
  484. 44Paragraph 44
  485. The Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 (c. 28)
  486. 45Paragraph 45
  487. Schedule 10: Transitional Provisions and Savings
  488. General saving for repeal of the Coal Act 1938
  489. 1Paragraph 1
  490. Deemed acknowledgments under section 14(3) of the Coal Act 1938
  491. 2Paragraph 2
  492. Restrictions under section 33 of the Coal Act 1938
  493. 3Paragraph 3
  494. Rights saved by section 34 of the Coal Act 1938
  495. 4Paragraph 4
  496. Saving for rights under section 43(6) of the Coal Act 1938
  497. 5Paragraph 5
  498. Licences under section 36 of the 1946 Act
  499. 6Paragraph 6
  500. Repeal of section 41 of the 1946 Act
  501. 7Paragraph 7
  502. Repeal of the Miners’ Welfare Act 1952
  503. 8Paragraph 8
  504. Opencast coal
  505. 9Paragraph 9
  506. Offshore coal adjacent to the Isle of Man
  507. 10Paragraph 10
  508. Coal industry trusts and other social welfare bodies
  509. 11Paragraph 11
  510. Interests affected by planning proposals: blight
  511. 12Paragraph 12
  512. Subsidence
  513. 13Paragraph 13
  514. Schedule 11: Repeals
  515. IRepeals coming into force on the passing of this Act
  516. IIRepeals coming into force on the restructuring date
  517. IIIRepeals coming into force on an appointed day
  518. IVRepeals coming into force on the dissolution date