§ 69. Mr. Barry Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps to preserve the countryside from the effects of coal prospecting and opencast mining.
§ Mr. RidleyThe Opencast Coal Act, 1958 requires my right hon. Friend to take into account any effect which proposals for opencast working would have on the natural beauty of the countryside and to lay down conditions for restoration. The control of prospecting is a matter for the local planning authority.