§ 31. Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Minister of Power how many collieries are currently not producing coal, but are being held in reserve in the event of an upsurge in coal demand, in Scotland, England, and Wales, respectively.
§ Mr. HamiltonIs my right hon. Friend aware that Lord Robens told a colleague and I that another colliery in Fife was being held in reserve and that in the event of a rise in the coal market it would be reopened? Can he give an assurance that the Coal Board is satisfied that the manpower will be available to man the pits in the event of an upsurge in demand for coal?
§ Mr. MasonNo. The Michael Colliery is closed and it would be very costly to reopen it. It has lost its labour force. Even an indication that it might be reopened would undermine the efforts of the Government and the local authority to bring new alternative industry to the area. It would not be right to raise hopes that it might be reopened.