HC Deb 16 July 1962 vol 663 cc15-7
34. Mr. Mason

asked the Minister of Power if he has now given further consideration to the annual outputs of opencast coal mining; and to what extent he now proposes to cut back output except for specialised coals which are in short supply.

Mr. Peyton

As indicated in my right hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member on 21st May, the National Coal Board now expects that opencast coal production in 1963 will be substantially below the reduced level of this year.

Mr. Mason

What does the hon. Gentleman mean by "substantially … reduced"? Can he give us some idea of the extent to which we can expect to see opencast coal mining output run down during the next five years?

Mr. Peyton

I think that my right hon. Friend has already told the House that output this year is expected to be about 1 million tons below the 1961 level of 8½ million tons. It would be wrong for me to give any forecast of what might happen in future. As the hon. Gentleman knows, opencast production is a very convenient and easy way of balancing supply and demand, not only in total quantities, but also of particular types of coal in particular areas.

Mr. Mason

Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that added urgency has been given to this matter by the recent announcement of the Minister about pit closures? Mineworkers feel very dissatisfied with the Minister of Power in that opencast coal mining has always been recognised as a cushion between production and demand. Rather than see pits closing so quickly, we would prefer to see opencast coal mining cut down first.

Mr. Peyton

I am informed by the Coal Board that it expects that applications for new sites to be worked before the end of next year will be limited to those which contain scarce coal or to which other very special circumstances apply.

35. Mr. Mason

asked the Minister of Power how many authorisations have now been sought by the Opencast Executive of the National Coal Board to work new opencast sites in Yorkshire; and how many have been granted.

Mr. Peyton

None, Sir.

Mr. Mason

I am very relieved to hear that reply. I hope that the hon. Gentleman has taken note of the mounting opposition in Yorkshire from mine-workers, local authorities, various— [HON. MEMBERS: "Question."] Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that there is mounting opposition in Yorkshire from the mineworkers, local authorities and from the Council for the Preservation of Rural England about this matter? I hope that he will consider this opposition before authorising any more workings in Yorkshire.

Mr. Peyton

I note what the hon. Gentleman has said.

40. Mr. Wainwright

asked the Minister of Power if he will now give the date when the restoration of the Wath-upon-Dearne Newhill opencast coal mining site will be fully completed.

Mr. Peyton

The site will be restored to full agricultural use by 1968 at the latest.

Mr. Wainwright

Will the Parliamentary Secretary say when it will be restored normally?

Mr. Peyton

Contractual restoration should be complete by the end of next year. As the hon. Member knows, coaling will end very soon.