§ 23. Sir J. Edenasked the Minister of Power, following his review of trends in coal, what plans he has for the deferment of pit closures over the winter months.
§ Mr. MasonAll closures proposed by the National Coal Board are being examined against the background of local employment prospects, and where necessary the Government will ask the Board to defer closures.
§ Sir J. EdenCan the Minister say what progress has been made with retraining and alternative employment opportunities for those areas where pits have already been closed?
§ Mr. MasonThat is not a matter for me. As the hon. Gentleman knows, the Board of Trade, the Department of Employment and Productivity and the Department of Economic Affairs have jointly been working on special training schemes for miners, and they have been successful.
§ Mr. Emrys HughesIs my right hon. Friend aware that, in my constituency, the National Coal Board is advertising for miners, and it is hardly likely to get them from West Bournemouth? In view of the fact that there is so much uncertainty about pit closures, should he not call a halt so that there might be some degree of rationalisation to keep in mind the future of manpower?
§ Mr. MasonI am aware of the problems of manpower, but I could not call a halt to all pit closures. Some have run out of coal. Others, as a result of bad geological conditions, are uneconomic. Hope springs eternal in my hon. Friend's breast if he imagines that we can get some Southerners to move to Scotland.
§ 24. Mr. Croninasked the Minister of Power what proposals he has received from the National Coal Board for pit closures in the South Derbyshire coal fields.
§ Mr. MasonIndividual colliery closures E.re a matter for the National 190 Coal Board, in consultation with the Unions concerned. I know of no plans for the closure of any of the collieries in the South Derbyshire and Leicester-shire coalfields, but I have been informed that the results at Cadley Hill have been such as to place its future in jeopardy.
§ Mr. CroninCould my right hon. Friend give an assurance as far as possible that there will be no further closures in the South Derbyshire area? Would he bear in mind that South Derbyshire miners have acheved higher productivity despite great difficulties, and what is now required is a period of stability to maintain morale in their productive effort?
§ Mr. MasonAs I have said, I am not aware of pending closures there. But I can reiterate what my hon. Friend has said. This part of the British coalfield has done extremely well, and productivity has been very good.