HC Deb 29 June 1959 vol 608 cc10-3
18. Mr. McKay

asked the Paymaster-General how much less was the total output of saleable coal, including opencast coal, and of opencast coal, respectively, during the 24 weeks ended 20th June, 1959, than during the comparable period in 1958.

Sir I. Horobin

Deepmined output was less by 3½ million tons, or 3 per cent., and opencast by 620,000 tons, or 10 per cent. In recent weeks opencast has been 25 per cent. less than a year ago.

Mr. McKay

Is it right that the reduction in opencast production is less by only about 550,000 tons, when we were promised a reduction of 3 million tons in a year? At the rate that opencast mining is being reduced at the moment, in a year it will reduce output by only 1¼ million tons. Is there something peculiar about the present position or can we have any guarantee that there will be a reduction of 3 million tons so far as opencast mining is concerned?

Sir I. Horobin

Part of the discrepancy is perhaps due to the hon. Gentleman overlooking the fact that when comparing the figures as far as deep mines were concerned Saturday working was still being worked early last year. That accounts for about 90 per cent. of the cut in deep-mined output. As regards opencast, broadly speaking, we have every reason to suppose that the planned reduction will take place this year.

23. Mr. Finch

asked the Paymaster-General to what extent prospecting for opencast coal is still continuing; and in which counties.

Sir I. Horobin

The National Coal Board is at present prospecting about 56,000 acres in twenty-two counties to gain information on the reserves available. I am circulating a list in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Finch

Having regard to the fact that stocks of coal are rising week by week, can the hon. Gentleman say why prospecting continues to take place when we are in the position of having overproduction of coal?

Sir I. Horobin

I think I have already answered the Question. Whatever views we may have about opencast mining, these resources are or may be valuable reserves. Surely it is common sense to find out exactly what and where the reserves are in case we want them. If we do not start prospecting until we want the coal we might have a crisis before we find it.

Following is the list:

Counties in which the National Coal Board are prospecting for opencast coal

England.

Scotland.

Wales.

31. Mr. Mason

asked the Paymaster-General how many new authorisations for the working of opencast coal have been granted since opencast mining was governed by the Opencast Coal Act. 1958.

Sir I. Horobin

None, Sir.

34. Mr. T. Brown

asked the Paymaster-General when he estimates the nine opencast coal sites in Lancashire will cease working on completion of the tasks now authorised.

35. Mr. H. White

asked the Paymaster-General when he estimates the 29 opencast coal sites in Derbyshire will cease working on completion of the tasks now authorised.

36. Mr. T. Fraser

asked the Paymaster-General when he estimates the five opencast coal sites in Scotland will cease working on completion of the tasks now authorised.

37. Mr. B. Taylor

asked the Paymaster-General when he estimates the four opencast coal sites in Nottinghamshire will cease working on completion of the tasks now authorised.

39. Mr. D. Griffiths

asked the Paymaster-General when he estimates the 14 opencast coal sites in Yorkshire will cease working on completion of the tasks now authorised.

40. Mr. Finch

asked the Paymaster-General when he estimates the 16 opencast coal sites in Wales and Monmouthshire will cease working on completion of the tasks now authorised.

41. Mr. Blyton

asked the Paymaster-General when he estimates the 14 opencast coal sites in Durham will cease working on completion of the tasks now authorised.

Sir I. Horobin

As already announced, the National Coal Board is arranging a drastic reduction in opencast production and is working out the details for each individual site.

Mr. Brown

We have heard that answer before. It shows that the Government are not making any progress towards the cessation of opencast working. When will the tasks already authorised be completed? Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that within the last 19 years people in Lancashire, particularly in my constituency, have been experiencing great discomfort, trouble and anxiety from opencast working? Surely, we can be told when the existing opencast sites will be concluded. Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that on Saturday of last week, prospecting was started on another site, although he had told us that it would finish altogether?

Sir I. Horobin

We have already dealt with prospecting in a previous Question. Concerning the sites already being worked, surely the hon. Member will appreciate that, in a large programme of this nature, once it has been decided to make drastic reductions a whole series of complicated and detailed negotiations must take place for every individual site. The Coal Board is still engaged in that process. That is why the Board cannot give the dates when the sites all over the country will cease operating.

Mr. Blyton

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that we are apprehensive about this? We recognise the need for negotiating opencast contracts, but is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that in Durham there are large collieries involving huge capital expenditure that will close? Can we not run down the opencast sites and save the deep miner in County Durham?

Sir I. Horobin

The Question asked on what date these sites would cease. We are not discussing the principle.