asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how much public money has been spent up to September, 1945, on the extraction of outcrop coal on the Rigg, Cairn and Drambuie estates, respectively, at Kirkconnel, Dumfriesshire; how much outcrop coal has been extracted on each of these estates; and how much it is estimated will be extracted.

I am making inquiries and will communicate the results to the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what further acreage has been requisitioned for opencast coal working since VJ-Day; and whether this method of production is to continue indefinitely.

The answer to the first part of the Question is 1,450 acres, and to the second part, "No."