HC Deb 10 July 1967 vol 750 cc70-1
11. Mr. Eadie

asked the Minister of Labour how many miners have been registered as unemployed as a consequence of the closure of Lingerwood Colliery, Midlothian.

Mr. Fernyhough

Twenty miners from Lingerwood Colliery have registered as unemployed since the start of the closure on 8th April, 1967.

Mr. Eadie

is my hon. Friend aware that with the expected pit closures in this area there will be a serious problem in finding alternative employment for some of these miners in particular age groups, especially as there is very little alternative industry there?

Mr. Fernyhough

I am aware of the position, but I am sure my hon. Friend will be pleased to know that all but 19 of the men involved in this closure have been found employment. Unfortunately, these 19 are over 62, and it may be difficult to find alternative employment for them.

Mr. G. Campbell

Will the hon. Gentleman make sure that some of the measures which he mentioned in reply to my Question No. 6 are applied in this case?

Mr. Fernyhough

The hon. Gentleman knows that Scotland, excluding Edinburgh, is a development area, and that all the facilities in the way of separate payments which will start in September, investment grants, building grants, and so on, are available to the whole of the territory.