§ Mr. Tinkerasked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether he is aware that open-cast mining is taking place on a large scale; that its operation is causing devastation; and will he, in the 724W plan for reconstruction, consider examining the question of afforestation on the sites where the coal has been removed and so make the countryside a place of beauty?
§ Mr. H. StraussMy right hon. Friend is aware that open-cast mining is taking place, and I understand that my Noble Friend the Minister of Works, who is by arrangement with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Fuel and Power carrying out the necessary operations, is already arranging for as much restoration of the sites concerned as is possible at the present time, and in all cases where agricultural land is concerned the surface is being restored. My right hon. Friend understands that little opportunity for afforestation is afforded by the remaining sites, which in any case comprise only a small acreage. The possibilities of afforestation will, however, be borne in mind.