§ Mr. Pentlandasked the Paymaster-General if he is aware that, as a consequence of the changed situation in the coal mining industry, 4½ million tons of opencast coal is now lying in stocks; and if, in view of this, he will give a general direction to the National Coal Board not to commence opencast-mining operations on new sites until the situation in the coal industry is clarified.
§ Mr. MaudlingI would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to a similar Question by the hon. Member for Bolsover (Mr. Neal) on 21st April last.