HC Deb 03 February 1949 vol 460 cc1818-9
21. Mr. Gerald Williams

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many farms and what acreage have been taken over for opencast coal mining.; and what compensation has been paid to farmers whose land has been taken over for opencast coal mining.

Mr. Gaitskell

I regret that information as to the number of farms affected is not readily available. The total acreage of agricultural land requisitioned from the start of opencast operations to the end of December, 1948, was 41,641 acres, of which 9,746 acres have been derequisitioned. The payment of compensation is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Works, but I understand that the figures are not available and could not be obtained without an unjustifiable amount of labour.

Mr. Williams

Is there any compensation for the sale of a pedigree herd or for a milk round or for machinery which may have been installed, or even for the house, which is rendered useless because there is no longer a livelihood there?

Mr. Gaitskell

The details of the compensation arrangements are rather complicated. I think the hon. Member had better put a question down to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Works.

Major Legge-Bourke

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if, when he says that the number of farms taken over is not known, he is aware that in many cases one farm has been attacked three times in different parts, and that this makes planning completely impossible for the farmer? Will he avoid such practices in the future?

Mr. Gaitskell

I am aware that in some cases it has been necessary to go back again to the same farm. We always do our best to make things as easy as possible for the farmer provided we can get the coal.