§ 22. Mr. Swinglerasked the Paymaster-General what report he has had from the National Coal Board on further proposals for opencast mining in the borough and rural district of Newcastle-under-Lyme; and if he will withhold his sanction from such projects until the Opencast Coal Bill is brought into operation.
§ Sir I. HorobinWhile prospecting is going on no proposals for opencast coal working in the borough and rural district of Newcastle-under-Lyme are before my noble Friend.
§ Mr. SwinglerIf proposals are made, would the Parliamentary Secretary be willing to respond favourably to the suggestion in the latter part of the Question and withhold any sanction until the provision regarding preservation of amenities under the new Bill comes into operation?
§ Sir I. HorobinI cannot without notice give a categorical reply, but, broadly speaking, it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to ensure, so far as possible, that new workings should come under the new Bill. If the hon. Gentleman will put down a specific Question, I may be able to give him a categorical reply in respect of these particular workings.
§ 23. Mr. Swinglerasked the Paymaster-General how many acres of land in the borough and rural district of Newcastle-under-Lyme are already developed for opencast mining; and how many tons of coal have been won from these sites.
§ Sir I. HorobinThree hundred and fifty acres and 600,000 tons.