§ 16. Mr. Croninasked the Paymaster-General if, in view of the increasing unemployment in the coalmining industry, he will give a general direction to the National Coal Board to make larger and more prolonged payments of compensation to displaced miners who are unable to find alternative employment.
§ Sir I. HorobinNo, Sir. It is for the National Coal Board and the National Union of Mineworkers to consider the terms of compensation in the first instance. Any arrangements agreed between them are subject to my noble Friend's approval.
§ Mr. CroninWill the hon. Member bear in mind, when considering approval of these arrangements when they are finally discussed, that displaced miners are often geographically so circumstanced that it is very difficult for them to obtain other work and that, therefore, they require special consideration?
§ Sir I. HorobinAll those considerations will, no doubt, be very present in the minds of the N.U.M. and N.C.B.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsWhen the hon. Member discusses this matter with the two sides of the industry, will he bear in mind something which I sought to put at the end of our debate on Friday, that when old mines are closed and new mines are 841 to be opened in 12 months or 18 months' time, it would be in the interests of the miners and of the nation to keep the displaced miners in the industry, if necessary delaying closures to do so? Will he consider that sympathetically?
§ Sir I. HorobinI will write to the right hon. Gentleman.
§ Mr. ShinwellIf, as the hon. Member asserts, increased redundancy payments are a matter for the National Coal Board, why does his noble Friend interfere between the Board and the National Union of Mineworkers to prevent older miners receiving an increased pension from their own pension fund?
§ Sir I. HorobinThat is not strictly relevant. Any powers and duties of my noble Friend stem from an Act which, no doubt in a moment of absence of mind, was passed by hon. Members opposite.