HC Deb 31 March 1952 vol 498 cc96-7W
81. Mr. Nabarro

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what methods he adopts for requisitioning land for opencast coal mining; what recourse to the courts or a tribunal in such cases is available where farmers dissent from proposals to sequestrate farmland; and what alterations in these methods and procedure will take place on the transfer to the National Coal Board of the responsibilities for opencast coal mining.

Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd

Land for opencast coal mining is requisitioned under Defence Regulation 51 after consultation with other interested Government Departments and authorities. These include, of course, the Ministry of Agriculture, who take fully into account the views of the farmer and the wider agricultural implications of the proposal before agreeing to the requisition.

The Defence Regulations make no provision for an appeal against the decision of a competent authority to requisition land required for one of the purposes specified in the Supplies and Services (Transitional Powers) Act, 1945.

No alteration in this procedure will be made on the transfer of responsibility to the National Coal Board for the actual coal-getting operations.

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