HC Deb 20 March 1978 vol 946 cc949-50
4. Mr. Knox

asked the Secretary of State for Energy in what proportion of collieries have incentive agreements been implemented.

27. Mr. Patrick McNair-Wilson

asked the Secretary of State for Energy in what proportion of collieries incentive schemes have been implemented.

Mr. Eadie

The numbers of installation agreements have been steadily increasing and now cover about 80 per cent. of all faces and 75 per cent. of all development drivages.

Mr. Knox

Can the Minister say by how much coal output has increased as a result of the implementation of these schemes?

Mr. Eadie

Yes. There has been an increase in output per man shift of about 1.5 cwt. The National Coal Board expects in this financial year about 1½ million tons more than it would otherwise have had.

Mr. McNair-Wilson

Whilst productivity is improving, which is to be welcomed, sales are the real problem. Can the Minister confirm that coking coal, a precious resource which we are still importing, is being put under the boilers in power stations? Would it not be wiser to coke it and stock it for the British Steel Corporation in the hope that there will he at some point an upturn in the future of the steel industry?

Mr. Eadie

It is a fact that the steel industry is in the doldrums. It is a fact that coking coal is being stocked. I do not have any information about it being put into power stations. I share the hon. Gentleman's optimism because, before, when the world took off in its economy in relation to steel, countries all over the world were searching for coking coal. I agree that we should stock it and not lose our nerve.

Mr. William Hamilton

Can my hon. Friend say whether as a result of the incentive agreements there are any figures nationally to indicate an increase in the number of fatal accidents, in view of the recent remarks made by Mr. Scargill?

Mr. Skinner

Yes; they have doubled.

Mr. Eadie

I have no information that there has been any increase in the number of fatal accidents.

Mr. Kelley

Is my hon. Friend aware that there has been a great deal of industrial friction in the Yorkshire coalfield and a possible strike of engine winders because of the degree of implementation of pit industry incentive schemes? Has he made a study of the number of shifts and the amount of coal lost as a result of the application of pit industry incentive schemes?

Mr. Eadie

My hon. Friend may recollect that the last time on which questions were posed in the House about the incentive schemes I said that I thought it was too early to start to make some claims about how they would work and what success they would have. I stick to what I said then. It is far too early to make claims one way or the other as to how they will turn out. The question of negotiating at pit level in relation to the kind of incentive scheme that would be acceptable is a new experience. Therefore, until there is some more experience of the incentive schemes, we shall have to wait to see what the facts are.