§ Mr. Masonasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government, in view of the success of seeding slag heaps by the West Riding County Council, if he will consider calling a conference of National Coal Board representatives, local authorities and his own and agricultural experts with a view to applying this method to all areas disfigured by slag heaps.
§ Mr. SandysMany pit heaps are unsuitable for this treatment, and I do not think a conference would help at this stage. I have, however, watched the experiments in this and other counties with great interest and will give any help and encouragement I can.
§ Mr. Masonasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what assistance he has given to the West Riding County Council towards helping them perfect their new process of ridding the coalfields of slag heaps by new methods of seeding; and what he is prepared to do to assist future operations.
§ Mr. SandysI have recently authorised the acquisition and clearing of two of these pit heaps, and I shall be glad to consider any further proposals the council may wish to put forward.