§ 49. Mr. Nabarroasked the Minister of Agriculture how many agricultural clearance certificates have yet been issued by his Department in respect of areas and sites in Western Worcestershire, threatened by opencast coal mining activities; and for which sites such clearance certificates have been issued.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture (Mr. George Brown)Agricultural clearance has been given for the purpose of trial borings only in respect of the following eight sites in Western Worcestershire: Fartown, Stildon, Empire, Winrick, Trial, Gyphouse, Greenway and Gorsthill.
§ Mr. NabarroIs the hon. Gentleman aware that unanimous and fierce opposition has been forthcoming from the National Union of Agricultural Workers, the National Farmers' Union and all the local authorities interested in this matter? Does it not represent a grave dereliction of duty by his Department in regard to agricultural interests?
§ Mr. BrownIt represents nothing of the kind. These are trial borings. All other considerations will be taken into account if and when the proposals develop.