§ Mr. Owenasked the Minister of Power how much coal was produced by opencast mining in 1962, 1963, and to the latest convenient date in 1964; and what plans exist for an increase in the extent of opencast mining.
§ Mr. John Morris8.1 million tons in 1962, 6.1 million tons in 1963 and 5.7 million tons in the first 44 weeks of this year, which is equivalent to an annual output of about 6¾ million tons. The National Coal Board has not yet finalised its plans for opencast mining in 1965. New sites for opencast require my right hon. Friend's authorisation under the Opencast Coal Act, 1958, before they can be worked.