(1) Whether her department has received any applications for (a) prospecting and (b) mining licenses for new clay deposits from a certain company (name furnished); if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (i) what date were they received and (ii) what are the reasons for the delay in approving these licenses; (2) whether a decision has been made to reject these applications; if not, when will a final decision be made in order to issue the required licenses; if so, (a) what are the reasons for making such a decision and (b) what are the further relevant details?