§ 62. Mr. Hollisasked the Minister of Agriculture how much agricultural land used for opencast mining is now available for the restoration of top soil; what area has been so restored; and the area of agricultural land on which prospecting for further sites for mining is taking place and envisaged.
§ Mr. T. Williams:I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Fuel and Power that of the total area of 9,811 acres in England and Wales comprising mainly agricultural land, on which opencast mining operations have been completed. 3,095 44W acres had been fully restored, and the remainder was in process of restoration at 25th March last. Prospecting licences have been issued in respect of 281,594 acres, but no information is available as to the area actually entered upon, nor as to the additional area envisaged for future prospecting.