§ 11 Mr. Edwin Wainwrightasked the Minister of Power how the growth of coalmining productivity in the first half 1470 of 1969 compares with that achieved in the corresponding periods of the years 1967 and 1968.
§ Mr. MasonProductivity in the first half of 1969 was 44.2 cwt. per manshift, 6.6 per cent. higher than in the corresponding period in 1968. The comparable increases in 1968 and 1967 were 9.1 per cent. and 3.0 per cent. respectively.
§ Mr. WainwrightWill the impetus towards greater production continue? Do not the achievements of the men working in the nationalised coal mining industry warrant greater help from the Government? Will the Government further consider that industry when deciding the fuel to be used by future power stations?
§ Mr. MasonAs my hon. Friend knows, the Government have given much financial aid to the coal mining industry, totting up to about £550 million, while we have been in office. The Tories closed 350 pits and 250,000 men left the industry while the Tories were in office and the Tories did not give a penny to the miners or the Board. There has been a slight falling off of output per man shift this year, but I hope that it will pick up later. It may be due to higher recruitment in recent months.
§ Sir G. NabarroIs not the £2,000 million investment in the coal mining and ancillary industries during the 13 years of Tory rule the reason for the great increase in productivity in coal mines today?
§ Mr. MasonNo. If we had not nationalised the industry and had allowed the anarchy of the market place of Tory rule to continue, 200 pits would not be in production today.