§ Colonel Lancasterasked the Minister of Power what is his present policy towards proposals by the National Coal Board for the use of compulsory rights orders under Section 4 of the Opencast Coal Act, 1958.
§ Mr. WoodThe Board is prepared to let fresh contracts for opencast mining where necessary to meet short-term difficulties in securing adequate supplies of particular kinds of coal such as Welsh anthracite. Wherever possible, it seeks to obtain the necessary rights in land by voluntary treaty. Where this cannot be done, I should be prepared to consider applications for the confirmation of compulsory rights orders.