§ 37 and 38. Mr. Owenasked the Paymaster-General (1) what effect the present contraction in the mining industry has had upon the recruitment and training of administrative and technical staff; and whether he will make a statement;
§ (2) how many of the administrative staff in the employ of the National Coal Board have been declared redundant since the contraction of the industry.
§ Mr. MaudlingThese are matters for the National Coal Board. As my hon. Friend told the hon. Member for Bolsover (Mr. Neal) on 16th February, the Board is taking steps to reduce its non-industrial staff by 5 per cent. in 1959.
§ Mr. OwenSurely the right hon. Gentleman cannot evade complete responsibility for the situation. For ten years young men have been encouraged to undertake specialist training in the coalfields. Now a situation has arisen in which there is a contraction in the industry and in which young men are seriously concerned about their future. Is there not an urgent need for the Government to take responsibility?
§ Mr. MaudlingBy the Coal Industry Nationalisation Act, 1946, the Coal Board is required to carry out and perform its functions relating to training on lines settled from time to time with the approval of the Minister. Clearly, therefore, the initiative rests with the National Coal Board.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that for generations the coal industry has recruited, at all levels, from coal mining families and that it is desirable that that process should continue and expand? Does he not realise that unless some security is given to the industry, the advice that I and my hon. Friends will give to the sons of coal miners is not likely to be to enter the industry?
§ Mr. MaudlingI will certainly bear in mind what the right hon. Gentleman has said, which was clearly important. 883 It is for that reason that, while recognising the problems of the industry, both sides of the House should do their best not to exaggerate them, for the sake of future recruitment and training.