§ 22. Mr. Fitchasked the Minister of Power, in view of increasing redundancy in the coalfields, if he will give a general direction to the National Coal Board to stop giving contracts to outside firms for underground mining operations except where the work is of a specialised nature.
§ Mr. WoodNo, Sir. I am not prepared to interfere with the National Coal Board's freedom of action in this matter.
§ Mr. FitchIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the giving of contracts to outside bodies for underground work is causing great resentment among mineworkers? Does he not feel that in this situation, in view of possible redundancy, all work underground should be done by mineworkers, particularly as most of them are competent to do such jobs?
§ Mr. WoodI think the members of the National Coal Board are the people who can most easily and most effectively decide by whom these particular contracts should be done. Therefore, I do not intend to disturb the arrangements at present.