§ 63. Mr. Masonasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he is now able to make a statement on future measures to be adopted to control the extended tipping of colliery spoilheaps.
§ Mr. H. BrookeI have consulted my noble Friend the Minister of Power and the National Coal Board, and I am in no doubt that the Board is conscious of its duty to preserve as far as possible the amenities of the countryside. All new tips started since 1948 are of course subject to planning permission, and when it is a question of laying out a new colliery the Board work in the closest collaboration with the local planning authority. 89W As regards existing tips which remain in use under the authority of the General Development Order, the Board cannot, at any rate for the present, contemplate expensive major works for improving the appearance of the tips, nor would I feel it right to press it to do so. But the Board has given an assurance that it will do what it can to improve the appearance of existing tips where this is possible by minor works agreed locally with the planning authorities.