§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Energy how much land has been used for opencast mining; and how much has been restored to agricultural use since 1945.
§ Mr. MellorThe NCB estimates that, since 1942, approximately 74,000 hectares of land have been, or are being, used for opencast coal mining. Of this, about 54,000 hectares has been fully restored, some 90 per cent. or so to agriculture (including forestry). The remainder is at present either being used for coal production, or is in the process of restoration. I regret that separate figures for the period since 1945 are not available.