§ 18. Mr. P. Robertsasked the Minister of Fuel and Power to use his powers under Section 3 of the Coal industry Nationalisation Act, 1946, to direct the National Coal Board to step up opencast coal working on suitable sites in order to increase the amount of coal available for export in 1953.
§ Mr. Geoffrey LloydOpencast production has been good recently and the National Coal Board are doing their best to keep it so.
§ Mr. RobertsIs my right hon. Friend aware that any extra coal which we can get for export this year will be vitally necessary in our financial difficulties?
Mr. J. T. PriceIs the Minister aware that, because of the costly nature of the machinery required for opencast mining, there appears to be a strong tendency on the part of the operators to work this machinery seven days a week, and that in 863 certain districts in my constituency opencast mining is being carried out to the utter disregard of the peace and comfort of the people living there?
§ Colonel Gomme-DuncanWould my right hon. Friend say what is the equivalent loss in food production as a result of this opencast coal mining?
§ Mr. LloydNo, Sir, but there can be no doubt that in this case the value of the coal produced is much the greater of the two.
§ Mr. D. GriffithsI appreciate the Minister's difficulties, and all power to his elbow in getting sufficient opencast coal—and more, if he can; but may I appeal to him that, if it is at all possible, although the seam in Wentworth Woodhouse is a very important seam, he will provide safeguards for the preservation of the Lady Mabel Training College in that area?