§ 18. Mr. Hugh Fraserasked the Minister of Fuel and Power why only seven days has been given to the Stone Rural District Council for lodging objections against an opencast project at Handchurch, Staffordshire; and whether he will take steps to 12 ensure that adequate time is given to local authorities to prepare their objections to any such project.
§ Mr. P. Noel-BakerOnly proposals for prospecting for coal are now in contemplation at the Osier Bed site at Hand-church. The Stone Rural District Council will, of course, have ample time and opportunity to lodge their complaints, if and when a proposal to work the coal is made.
§ Mr. FraserWould it not be simpler to give them, initially, more time in which to make preparations rather than to give them only seven days in which to lodge an objection?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerIt gives them ample time, because it will take a very long time before the prospecting is finished.