HC Deb 08 October 1940 vol 365 cc222-3
2. Mr. James Griffiths

asked the Secretary for Mines what progress has been made with the proposals for preventing the closing of collieries; and what steps are being taken to find alternative employment for the displaced miners?

Mr. Grenfell

As regards the first part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the full statement I made in the Debate in this House on 5th September, and would add that I am hopeful of receiving shortly the detailed proposals of the colliery owners designed to achieve the object which my hon. Friend has in mind. As regards the second part, I am discussing with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service the best means of releasing surplus workers from the mining industry for other forms of service with the minimum interference with the efficient conduct of the industry.

Mr. Griffiths

In considering the schemes which the industry is now discussing, will the Minister bear in mind that already all the collieries in some communities are being closed? Will he consider whether it is possible to spread the burden, so that pockets of unemployment are not created?

Mr. Grenfell

I should like to warn the House that this is a very difficult matter indeed. I should not like to promise that equal distribution of orders can be made, but I am very anxious, and I shall do everything possible, to prevent any area becoming derelict. The object of this scheme is to provide funds by which the cost of maintaining a pit which is unable to obtain orders shall be borne by the industry as a whole.

Mr. Gordon Macdonald

Will the Minister consider applying this scheme to collieries which have been closed for financial reasons and not always economic reasons?

Mr. Grenfell

It is not always the case that a colliery is closed down for those reasons. We shall decide within the industry whether pits can with advantage be kept open and whether some pits must be closed.

Mr. Thorne

Is it not one of the best means of keeping open collieries if people are able to stow away as much coal as possible?

Mr. Grenfell

Yes, Sir, but there are other problems, and I should like to make a fuller statement to the House than I made on the last occasion. The problem of transporting coal is very difficult and does not enable us to do all that we should like to do.