35. Mrs. Slaterasked the Minister of Power whether his Department has given approval to the National Coal Board for opencast coal workings on the Goldenhill site, Stoke-on-Trent.
§ Mr. GeorgeMy right hon. Friend has not yet received any application from the National Coal Board to work this site.
Mrs. SlaterWill the hon. Gentleman and his right hon. Friend be very firm in resisting any application, because the local authority looks upon this as a very valuable site for housing and also because it is in a district which produces some of the best coal? Therefore, we should strongly object to opencast working at this particular site?
§ Mr. GeorgeAs the hon. Lady knows, any proposed workings would be subject to the Opencast Coal Act, 1958, with its important safeguards for the private citizen, agricultural interests, amenity and avoidance of nuisance. These safeguards include the holding of public inquiries in disputed cases.