§ 19. Mr. Hamiltonasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the anticipated decline of coal production in central West Fife in the course of the next few years; and what steps he intends to take to encourage the introduction of alternative industry.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithI am informed that the National Coal Board expect in the next five years some decline in mining employment in the Cowdenbeath-Lochgelly area and a considerable expansion at neighbouring coalfields some ten miles away. The need for other employment will continue to be kept under review.
§ Mr. HamiltonHas the Minister had access to figures supplied by the National Coal Board for a longer period than five years? Is he aware that over the next 20 years or so employment for coal miners in that area will be virtually non-existent? Will he look at those figures and, in the light of them and figures for other parts of the country, re-draft or modify his policy for the distribution of industry?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithI have not got the figures for 20 years ahead. The figures for the next ten years, however, show a net increase of 4,780 jobs in the coal-mining areas to which I have referred. I will certainly continue my researches beyond that point in response to the hon. Member's invitation.