HC Deb 30 November 1967 vol 755 cc617-8
9. Mr. Gibson-Watt

asked the Secretary of State for Wales to what extent his plans for the Welsh development areas take account of the latest published figures of the reduction in the numbers of mineworkers employed.

Mr. Cledwyn Hughes

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Pontypool (Mr. Abse) on 16th November.—[Vol. 754, cols. 199–200.]

Mr. Gibson-Watt

That may be so, and I shall look at it, but may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in this connection, he accepts the figures given by the Chairman of the National Coal Board, both on television and in the newspapers, or whether he accepts the figures given by his right hon Friend the Minister of Power?

Mr. Hughes

As I explained in my reply to my hon. Friend on 16th November, full allowance was made in the White Paper for the impact of colliery closures up to 1971, and since then the Government have introduced further measures to assist particular areas.