§ 5. Sir G. Nabarroasked the Minister of Power what estimate he has now made for output of coal in 1967; what effect delayed pit closures recently announced by the Government will have on total 1967 output; and what further decline in coal output he has planned for 1968.
§ Mr. MarshTotal coal output in the first 43 weeks of this year was 139 million tons, 3 million less than last year; I expect this declining trend to continue for the rest of the year and in 1968. The additional output in 1967 at the pits whose closure is deferred may be about 400,000 tons.
§ Sir G. NabarroWhen the mineworkers marched on Westminster yesterday and at the conclusion of their deliberations, did the Minister observe that
Mr. Will Paynter, secretary of the National Union of Mineworkers, warned the Government that there was 'a breaking point in the tolerance and loyalty of everybody'."?I quote from The Times this morning. When does the Minister propose to publish his much-vaunted, long-awaited and very dilatorily handled fuel policy?
§ Mr. MarshThere is a Question on the Order Paper which will give the answer which the hon. Member requires.