HC Deb 21 January 1974 vol 867 cc1181-2
8. Mr. John

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will pay an official visit to the Pontypridd constituency.

Mr. Peter Thomas

Yes, Sir.

Mr. John

Will the Secretary of State, when visiting the Pontypridd constituency, take the trouble to visit the mines which are working in the constituency, talk to ordinary miners and go on a tour of the seams such as those working in the Cwm colliery? Having seen the conditions under which ordinary miners live and work and the rates of pay they receive, will he return and knock some sense into the block-headed Cabinet and persuade it to settle the miners' dispute?

Mr. Thomas

The arrangements which I have made to go to the hon. Gentleman's constituency, and of which I will certainly give him advance notice, do not include that type of visit. One thing I do know is that the employment situation which obtained at the end of last year in the hon. Gentleman's constituency is at the moment in jeopardy by reason of the shortage of energy. I feel sure that the hon. Gentleman must have brought this matter to the notice of those who are engaged in the mining industry in his constituency.

Mr. Kinnock

If the Secretary of State is so concerned about the effects of the energy situation, will he tell us whether he has yet drawn it to the attention of his Cabinet colleagues that their present policy of the three-day week is costing the country about £450 million a week whereas a justifiable wage award to the miners of less than one-tenth of that amount in addition to what they have already asked for would send us back to work in a couple of days? On his experience in Pontypridd, perhaps he will bring that point of view to bear in the Cabinet.

Mr. Thomas

These are matters which are being discussed continually and are being discussed today when my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister meets the leaders of the Trades Union Congress.