§ Mr. Masonasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will give consideration to the appointment of a 19W director of land reclamation, empowered to put in hand a comprehensive programme for the restoration to agriculture or other beneficial purposes of all derelict waste or tipping land of the National Coal Board, and to take steps to stop the burying of top soil and the spread of uncontrolled dereliction now widespread in coal-mining areas.
§ Sir K. JosephMy right hon. Friend does not think that such an appointment would be appropriate. As regards the last part of the Question, the National Coal Board has informed my right hon. Friend the Minister of Power that it is already the Board's practice to remove and preserve top soil in all suitable cases.