HC Deb 24 October 1966 vol 734 cc638-40
49. Sir C. Osborne

asked the Minister of Labour if, in view of the fact that Bevercotes Colliery, on which £18 million has been spent, is still not working after a year's delay, and that the recent decision not to work it was decided by men from nearby Thoresby Pit which employs 1,800 ment, at a meeting attended by only 12 men of whom six voted for the strike, four voted against, and two abstained, he will now institute an inquiry.

53. Mr. Concannon

asked the Minister of Labour how long miners at Bevercotes Colliery have been on strike; and on what date he was notified that the colliery was ready to employ miners on a full production basis.

Mr. Gunter

I much regret that production has not yet started. I understand that the National Coal Board and the National Union of Mineworkers are meeting tomorrow to discuss the position. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Power and I are continuing to watch the situation closely, but I do not think it would help matters if I intervened at present.

Sir C. Osborne

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this pit has stood idle for a year; yet still he says that he cannot intervene? Altogether, £18 million of taxpayers' money has been put into the pit, which has the finest machinery in the world; but it is not being worked.

Mr. Gunter

I am afraid that the hon. Gentleman is not quite accurate, in the sense that the pit could not have started anyhow. According to my information, it is doubtful whether, even if both sides arrive at an agreement tomorrow, they would be able to start the pit in production for six to eight weeks. I repeat that this is not the moment for me to intervene.

Mr. Concannon

I thank my right hon. Friend for his favourable reply. Is he aware that miners in my constituency agree that, because of the delicate nature of tomorrow's negotiations, to call one side foolish, stupid and Luddite only hardens the case?

Mr. Gunter

I agree. That is why I have emphasised that I do not wish to say anything about intervening at this stage.

Mr. Bellenger

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this colliery is in my constituency? I hope that he will allow me to ask whether the colliery itself is ready for working at present. I gathered from his previous reply that, even if agreement were reached tomorrow, the pit could not start work immediately.

Mr. Gunter

There have been conflicting stories about this, but my information is that, for one reason or another—it may be that machinery still required has not been put in because of the failure to agree—the pit could not operate for six to 12 weeks. I repeat, therefore, that I should like first to know what happens tomorrow.

Mr. Peyton

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is something radically wrong here? If coal is to have a future in our fuel economy, we must make the most of these very large investments in modern methods.

Mr. Gunter

There is no difference between us on that, but I wish the hon. Gentleman would sometimes understand that there are real human problems involving miners living in the same village and doing the same work but getting different pay.

Mr. Woof

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Question put by the hon. Member for Louth (Sir C. Osborne) is misleading? The colliery is not in operation because all the collieries in the Nottinghamshire area took a ballot and unfortunately—I regret the decision—refused to accept the hard-won national agreement made by the National Coal Board and the N.U.M.?