HC Deb 24 January 1949 vol 460 cc78-9W
67. Major Legge-Bourke

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many additional acres of agricultural land will be sacrificed this year to opencast coal-mining; and how many acres will again come into cultivation from this source.

Mr. T. Williams

I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Fuel and Power that about 6,500 acres of agricultural land are expected to be needed for opencast coal operations in 1949 and that at least 6,000 acres will be returned to agriculture on completion of coal working.