§ 21. Mr. Shinwellasked the Minister of Power how many pits are intended to be closed in 1960; and which coal districts will be affected.
§ Mr. WoodThe National Coal Board proposes to close 46 pits, spread over all the main coalfields except Yorkshire.
§ Mr. ShinwellHas the information been conveyed to the mine workers in these coalfields? Are they kept aware of what is going to happen?
§ Mr. WoodThe position at the moment is that this information I have given to the right hon. Gentleman was given to the National Union of Mine-workers and discussions are now taking place in the divisions right down to the areas on exactly which coal mines should be closed.
§ Mr. NabarroCould my right hon. Friend say, in connection with the 46 pits which are to be shut, what would be the aggregate displacement of mine workers involved in the shutting of those pits, and second, what would be the aggregate reduction in output caused by the shutting of the 46 pits?
§ Mr. WoodI think I can give my hon. Friend both those answers. The estimated manpower of the pits which are planned to be shut is 17,666, and the estimated output for this year of the pits which it is proposed to shut next year is some 4.8 million tons.
§ Mr. NabarroI am very grateful.
Mr. LeeWill the National Coal Board be able to place that number of men in other forms of employment? Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether 784 there will be unity between the National Coal Board and those who will be responsible for the working of the Local Employment Bill to ensure that new industry can be placed in those areas and that they will have priority?
§ Mr. WoodTo answer the second part of that supplementary question first, the National Coal Board is in extremely close touch with my right hon. Friends the Minister of Labour and the President of the Board of Trade on exactly that point. As to the first part of the supplementary question, the Board has had very considerable success so far in placing a very large proportion of displaced miners. I am glad to say that the percentage of miners unemployed is well below the national average.