§ 40. Mr. Rhys Daviesasked the Minister of Fuel and Power the up-to-date position relating to prospecting for opencast mining in the areas of Borsdane 18 Wood and Newbrook Road, Westhoughton.
§ Mr. P. Noel-BakerI know of no proposals for the opencast working of coal at Borsdane Wood. At Boardman's Plantation, Newbrook Road, it is proposed to carry out prospecting operations for the Trencherbone seam, which has been found and worked at Brackley Zone.
§ Mr. DaviesWill my right hon. Friend be good enough to convey to the National Coal Board that Newbrook Road is one of the best residential areas in Westhoughton, and that there is a strong resentment there against even prospecting for opencast coalmining?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerYes, Sir, I will convey my hon. Friend's point to the National Coal Board.