Opencast Mining

HC Deb 10 November 1958 vol 595 cc25-9

39. Mr. Swingler

asked the Paymaster-General what is his policy in implementing the powers conferred upon him by Section 2 and the Tenth Schedule of the Opencast Coal Act, 1958, with regard to existing sites.

The Paymaster-General (Mr. Reginald Maudling)

My noble Friend intends, where planning permission is necessary, to direct that it shall be deemed to be granted subject to such conditions as are necessary to ensure the proper restoration of the land.

Mr. Swingler

In addition to that, was it not clearly the intention of Parliament, as expressed in the Tenth Schedule to the Act, that as far as possible the provisions of the Act should be made applicable to existing opencast sites? Is the Minister aware that within the last three months—that is, since the passage of this Measure —a new opencast site has been started at Chesterton, Newcastle-under-Lyme, clearly within the view of dwelling-houses, which is damaging gardens and creating intolerable noise and dust? Will some steps be taken to discuss this matter with the Board in order to try to get the provisions of the Act rapidly applied?

reviewing the basic rate of retirement pension and other basic rates under the Insurance Act?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

These payments came into effect at their present rates as recently as January, and there has been very little movement in the Index of Retail Prices since then. Perhaps the hon. Member had better study the figures.

Following are the figures:

Mr. Maudling

I am not aware of the details of that case, but I will certainly look into it straight away.

41. Mrs. Slater

asked the Paymaster-General what applications he is considering for opencast coal mining in the Goldenhill area of Stoke-on-Trent.

44. Mr. Harold Davies

asked the Paymaster-General what applications he is considering for opencast coal mining in the Knypersley Pool area, Biddulph.

Mr. Maudling

There are no applications under consideration relating to the Goldenhill or Knypersley Pool areas. Notice of intention by the National Coal Board to submit any new applications must appear in a local newspaper and in the London Gazette.

Mrs. Slater

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there has been very great local publicity given to the fact that there is, at least, prospecting for opencast coal both at Goldenhill and Knypersley, and at other places around the city of Stoke-on-Trent? What are we to do about it, in view of the fact that this activity will seriously affect the local authorities' housing programme?

Mr. Maudling

A great deal of prospecting goes on by the National Coal Board, but no proposal is under consideration and no proposal is being put forward under the Defence Regulations for the Stoke-on-Trent area. What may be proposed in the future I cannot predict, but it will be subject to the Opencast Coal Act so recently passed by this House.

Mr. Harold Davies

If there is no proposal before the Minister at the moment for the Knypersley area, which is a beauty spot in North Staffordshire, then, in view of the fact that there are large stocks of coal now in Britain and of the further fact that miners are no longer being recruited, does the right hon. Gentleman not think that the time has come to reserve these surface stocks of coal for emergencies which may arise in the future? Will he therefore listen to the protests of the people from this district and proceed to prevent any further development of opencast mining in the beauty spots of North Staffordshire?

Mr. Maudling

That supplementary question raises a far wider consideration. My noble Friend has indicated that, in present circumstances, he will apply more rigorous conditions to the grant of permission and will take account of questions of amenity, which trouble people so much.

46. Mr. Fitch

asked the Paymaster-General whether the working of the Tan Pit Slip opencast coal site, Wigan, has yet been authorised.

Mr. Maudling

No, Sir.

Mr. Fitch

Before the Minister of Power approves the working of this site, will he take into consideration the fact that there are 17 million tons of undistributed coal in stock, of which 5½ million tons are from opencast working?

Mr. Maudling

Yes. I have already said in a reply to an earlier Question that, in deciding whether or not to approve an application, by noble Friend will take into consideration the stock position and that in present circumstances it is his intention to apply more stringent conditions before giving his approval.

48. Mr. Shinwell

asked the Paymaster-General how many employees are engaged in opencast coal operations.

Mr. Maudling

I am informed by the National Coal Board that the figure is about 12,800.

49. Mr. Shinwell

asked the Paymaster-General what representations he has received from the National Union of Mineworkers concerning the future of opencast coalmining; and what reply he has made.

Mr. Maudling

My noble Friend has not had representations from the National Union of Mineworkers since 23rd June, when he received a deputation and discussed opencast mining, together with other subjects. In regard to the future of opencast mining, I have nothing to add to the replies given by my hon. Friend on 3rd November.

Mr. Shinwell

Does the right hon. Gentleman not appreciate that this matter is becoming very grave and that the mining industry is now apprehending that danger? Is it not possible for the right hon. Gentleman to be more specific about the future of opencast operations?

Mr. Maudling

I have already answered two Questions in which I have referred to the more stringent conditions now being applied to new applications. In general, one cannot turn opencast operations on and off, as with a tap. Therefore, we should not allow what may be regarded as a temporary surplus of coal stocks to lead to a decision which, in the long term, may lead to shortages in the future.

Mr. Shinwell

Is it the view of the right hon. Gentleman that the present situation is temporary? If so, we are very grateful to him for that view. Is it also the view of his Ministry and of the National Coal Board?

Mr. Maudling

Certainly. I think the whole policy of the Government is based on the view that a temporary shortage of demand should not be taken as proof of future trends.

Mr. Nabarro

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the most profitable of all the operations of the Coal Board is opencast mining, and that if he curtailed it in any way he might increase the loss incurred by the Board? Will my right hon. Friend have some regard also to the very large sums of money which private engineering and civil contractors have already vested in opencast mining machinery?

Mr. Maudling

The profitability of opencast mining is certainly important from the point of view of the National Coal Board, and we do not want to break up existing and important contracting organisations. The main point is to maintain adequate total coal capacity against future demand.