HC Deb 19 March 1979 vol 964 cc1081-2
7. Mr. Gwilym Roberts

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what estimate he has made of the number of jobs which will be produced, the total coal resources available, and the economic contribution which will be made by the proposed Park colliery in Staffordshire; and by what date coal will be drawn from this pit.

Mr. Eadie

The National Coal Board expects Park colliery to reach the full target of 2.2 million tonnes annually about eight years after planning approval is granted; with an employment of 1,300 men and life expectancy of at least half a century.

Mr. Roberts

I thank my hon. Friend for his efforts in this matter. Does he accept that the rapid development of Park colliery is vital to employment prospects and, indeed, to the economic future of the neighbouring Cannock Chase district, which has a high level of unemployment?

Mr. Eadie

I agree that this colliery is vital to the economic prosperity of the area. It is also vital to the miners who are employed in the area to have prospects for continued employment so that their skills can be employed in this great new project. The project will be a very good investment for the nation because productivity will increase by probably three times the national average.

Mr. Hugh Fraser

I thank the hon. Member for Cannock (Mr. Roberts) for the unsolicited solicitude that he expressed for my constituents. Will the Minister make clear that there will have to be a public inquiry before the mine is started, bearing in mind the high chlorine content of the coal subsidence in the area and whether the investment of £140 million against the national investment is worthwhile or not?

Mr. Eadie

The hon. Gentleman is correct. There will probably need to be a public inquiry. The evidence of that inquiry will show whether it is in the interests of the nation that the investment takes place. I do not believe that those for or against investment will be shy in arguing their case. The hon. Gentleman is aware that an investigation is taking place into the chlorine content of the coal. That investigation will be the subject of debate in due course.