§ 10. Mr. Shinwellasked the Minister of Power what proposals have been made to him by the National Coal Board on further closures of pits in the County of Durham.
§ Mr. Frederick LeeIndividual closures are a matter for the Board after discussion with the unions, and I am asking the chairman to write to my right hon. Friend.
§ Mr. ShinwellIs my right hon. Friend aware that during the last ten years 150,000 miners have been made redundant by pit closures? Will he ensure in his discussions with the National Coal Board that future closures will be carefully phased having regard to social consequences?
§ Mr. LeeI think that my right hon. Friend would agree that the National Coal Board has had considerable success in looking at the social implications of this kind of thing. The number of miners registered as unemployed in County Durham in January was 1,515. This included men who had to leave the industry on medical grounds and those between the ages of 60 and 65 years who opted to retire as well as those displaced by closures.