HC Deb 04 July 1967 vol 749 cc1540-1
26. Mr. Concannon

asked the Minister of Power how much of the £30 million grants in connection with pit closures was paid in the year 1966–67; and what is the estimated payment for the year 1967–68.

46. Mr. McGuire

asked the Minister of Power how much of the £30 million allocated by the Coal Industry Act, 1965, for the purpose of assisting the National Coal Board to meet the social costs of the contraction of the coal industry has been spent; and what proportion, expressed as a percentage, this represents of the total amount spent by the National Coal Board on social costs since the passing of the Act; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Freeson

The sum of £1.3 million was paid to the Board in 1966–67. This represented 20 per cent. of the Board's total expenditure of £6.4 million in that year. The estimated payment for 1967–68 is £3 million, which would be the proportion payable under existing statutory provisions towards expenditure by the Board of £9.8 million.

Mr. Concannon

Is my hon. Friend aware that the Coal Industry Act, 1965, is not working as intended, and could it be looked at again with a view to cutting the strings attached to the £30 million?

Mr. Freeson

I can assure my hon. Friend that the Act is working as intended. My hon. Friend's second point refers to a matter which will be considered as part of our general fuel policy review. It is being considered now.

Mr. McGuire

While I am pleased to hear that the fuel policy is to be reviewed, may I ask my hon. Friend whether he agrees that there is need now to speed this up and not have a five-year period? Could we not get rid of it much more quickly?

Mr. Freeson

My hon. Friend has a fair point there. This is one of the aspects that we are looking at.

Mr. Varley

Would my hon. Friend agree that, in the context of achieving a coal industry of the right size, the question of adequately meeting social costs and social reconstruction in the mining areas is of supreme importance? Will he bring forward a plan which recognises this fact and treat the miners generously?

Mr. Freeson

I would only say, first of all, that as has been put in a number of Questions and Answers I agree that this is one of the key problems that face us in this field. As to my hon. Friend's second point, my right hon. Friend will be consulting his colleagues on this matter. There will be inter-departmental discussions. We are very much concerned to produce the right answers.