HC Deb 23 February 1959 vol 600 cc117-8W
79. Sir A. Hurd

asked the Paymaster-General what revision of the opencast coalmining programme he has approved for 1959; and how many acres of farmland will be taken for this purpose, compared with 1958 and 1957.

Sir I. Horobin

As announced in the House on 3rd December last, the revised programme for 1959 is 11 million tons. In 1957 and 1958, 7,700 and 6,900 acres respectively of land were taken. It is not known how much land the National Coal Board may need later this year for next year's production but it already has sufficient land for its 1959 output.