HC Deb 27 July 1982 vol 28 c439W
Mr. Mason

asked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) if he will not authorise any extensions of opencast coal mining in South Yorkshire.

(2) if, in view of the despoilation of the mining areas in South Yorkshire, he will make it his practice to refuse all applications from the Opencast Executive to extend opencast mining operations which are referred to him for final determination.

Mr. John Moore

I shall continue to deal with applications from the NCB for authorisations under section 1 of the Opencast Coal Act 1958 on their merits.