§ 17. Mr. Hubbardasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how far the programme for restoration of agricultural land after the working of opencast coal is being maintained in Scotland; and what acreage is involved this year to the last available date.
§ Mr. SnaddenMy right hon. Friend is satisfied that the restoration of agricultural land after the working of opencast coal is proceeding satisfactorily in Scotland. In the present year 535 acres have been re-seeded to grass or put under crops following the cessation of opencast coal working. Preliminary agricultural restoration operations, preparatory to re-seeding, have been carried out on a further 150 acres.