HC Deb 30 June 1958 vol 590 cc862-3
10. Mr. Harold Davies

asked the Paymaster-General how many acres of land in the vicinity of Biddulph, North Staffordshire, are already developed for opencast mining; and how many tons of coal to date have been won from these sites.

Sir I. Horobin

Ninety-two acres and 43,000 tons in the Biddulph urban district.

Mr. Davies

Before hacking away at the surface in these areas, have the authorities considered the possibility of winning coal, not so much by deep mining in the area, but by footrails or level, as they are called in North Staffordshire? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there are 600,000 tons of coal in the North Staffordshire coal field which could be won by this method, before we start attacking the beauty of the area by the opencast method?

Sir I. Horobin

I do not think that it is appropriate for me to enter into very technical discussions of that sort. These are considerations which the Coal Board has to take into account before it puts forward proposals to the Minister, and in every individual case these are balanced in the national interest.

11. Mr. Harold Davies

asked the Paymaster-General if he will give an assurance that the Biddulph local authority will be given a full and comprehensive report on any proposed opencast mining in its area.

Sir I. Horobin

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Davies

Is the Minister aware that the local authority feels that it does not have the consultation which it deserves with the officials, the Ministry or the Coal Board? Has a comprehensive report now been presented on the possible development in the Knypersley Pool area to the Leek Rural District Council or to the Biddulph Urban District Council?

Sir I. Horobin

The next Question deals with Knypersley Pool, which is not in the area to which the hon. Member refers.

12. Mr. Harold Davies

asked the Paymaster-General what reports he has had from the National Coal Board on the proposed opencast mining project in the Knypersley Pool area, Biddulph, North Staffordshire; whether he is aware that public opinion is overwhelmingly against the destruction of this beauty spot; and if he will make a statement.

Sir I. Horobin

The National Coal Board is now prospecting for opencast coal near Knypersley Pool. It will require my noble Friend's approval before it can work any coal which it finds, and any objections to its working proposals will be heard at a public local inquiry.

Mr. Davies

I am grateful to the Minister for that reply. May we take it that every possible effort will be made by the Coal Board and the Minister to see that all interested parties and local authorities will receive prior information before there is any development in this beauty spot?

Sir I. Horobin

The proposals, if any, will come under the new provisions of the Opencast Coal Bill which has just been passed through this House. The hon. Member and the House will recall that a number of very explicit undertakings were given in the course of debates on that Bill.