§ 1. Mr. David Griffithsasked the Minister of Power what was the number of men and boys employed underground each year from 1963 to the most recent date, and the number of persons engaged in an official capacity from area general managers down to deputies and shotfirers.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Power (Mr. Reginald Freeson)With permission I will circulate the figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. GriffithsIs my hon. Friend aware that there is great indignation about the number of miners being lost to the industry, while at the same time there is an overwhelming preponderance of area general managers? Miners in the coalfields are disturbed about this, and I hope that the figures given by my hon. Friend will be satisfactory. I doubt it.
§ Mr. FreesonI think my hon. Friend will find that the figures show a drop in the number of persons to whom he has referred, as well as underground workers. The figures range from 34,900 in 1963, to 29,700 early this year, but further details will appear.
§ The following is the information:
| Men and boys employed under ground at N.C.B. mines excluding overmen deputies and shotfirers) | Persons engaged in an official capacity from area general managers down to and including shotfirers | |
| 1963 End December | 373,000 | 34,900 |
| 1964 End December | 354,000 | 33,600 |
| 1965 End December | 324,000 | 31,700 |
| 1966 End December | 299,000 | 29,900 |
| 1967 End March | 295,000 | 29,700 |