HC Deb 15 November 1955 vol 546 cc205-6
49. Mr. Warbey

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the continued fall in mining manpower, he will direct the appropriate Government Departments to give high priority to the problem of attracting additional labour into the coal mining industry.

The Prime Minister

I can assure the hon. Member that high priority is already given to this question by my right hon. and learned Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service and other Ministers concerned.

Mr. Warbey

Is the Prime Minister aware that this is probably our most serious domestic problem, and that if the mining industry could get 30,000 more men, we would save most of the £80 million a year which we are now spending, mostly in dollars, on coal imports? Will he, therefore, see that all the Ministers who can help in a solution of this problem, including the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Minister of Housing and Local Government, tackle this problem as a combined operation?

The Prime Minister

I am indeed aware that this is the most serious domestic problem in our balance of payments position. This year, imports of coal will cost about £80 million, and I do not think that the hon. Member for Ashfield (Mr. Warbey) nor I alone can handle this question. It is one which requires very careful treatment under many headings.