§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Wales what procedural steps he is taking to speed up planning provision for sites for opencast mining in Wales as a result of the critical shortage of anthracite.
§ Mr. John MooreI have been asked to reply.
Applications by the National Coal Board for authorisations to work 667W coal by opencast methods are already dealt with as expeditiously as possible within the procedure laid down in the Opencast Coal Act 1958.