§ 10. Mr. Kenneth Lewisasked the Minister of Power whether he proposes to stop opencast coal operations in view of the reduced tonnage now required from the coal industry.
§ Dr. BrayNo, Sir. We need all the coal that can be produced at an economical price from deep mines. At the level of 7 million tons a year stated in the White Paper on Fuel Policy, opencast coal provides a valuable and economic supplement to deep-mined production.
§ Mr. LewisDoes not the hon. Gentleman think that it is somewhat ridiculous that we should be tearing the country apart to the disadvantage of the agricultural industry, when his right hon. Friend said a minute ago that what we want is a viable underground coal-producing industry?
§ Dr. BrayWe want coal at a cheap price, and, as the hon. Gentleman knows, the National Coal Board takes the greatest care to look after agricultural interests and to preserve local amenity.