§ 26. Mr. Shinwellasked the Minister of Power what further arrangements he has now made with the National Coal Board on the slowing down of pit closures.
§ Mr. GunterNone, Sir.
§ Mr. ShinwellIn order to banish the insecurity existing among miners everywhere, particularly in the North-East, would my right hon. Friend venture to advise the Chairman of the National Coal Board to make an early announcement about future closures?
§ Mr. GunterI am very conscious—as conscious as my right hon. Friend—of the insecurity in the North-East and in my own country. I shall certainly undertake to talk to the Board, as I have already started to do.
§ Sir G. NabarroWill the Minister bear in mind that historically the insecurity arose from the vacillating policy of his predecessor, who presented a White Paper to the House and then withdrew it, and then refused to publish the rate of rundown in the pits?
§ Mr. GunterI have no comment to make.
§ Sir C. OsborneWill the Minister tell the House how many pits are due to be closed down, and where most of them are situated?
§ Mr. GunterI could not say at the moment, but I will undertake to find out from the National Coal Board what its plans are.