§ 32. Mr. Mitchisonasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether it is his policy to ensure that all sites which have been worked for opencast coal are restored to fitness for agricultural use; and how far such restoration has been and is being carried out.
§ Mr. GaitskellYes. It is our policy to ensure to the best of our ability that all agricultural land used for opencast operations is properly restored for agricultural use. Since 1942 when opencast operations began, out of 41,641 acres requisitioned, 9,746 acres have been restored and derequisitioned, and 12,147 acres are now being restored.