HC Deb 02 June 1980 vol 985 cc1028-9
11. Mr. Alec Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when last he discussed with the chairman of the National Coal Board the problems facing the South Wales coal industry.

13. Mr. Ioan Evans

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he has discussed with the area director of the National Coal Board in Wales the effect of the British Steel Corporation closures at Shot-ton, Llanwern and Port Talbot on the South Wales coal industry.

Mr. Nicholas Edwards

My last formal meeting was with the area director, National Coal Board, South Wales, on 27 February. I have met the chairman of the NCB and the area director informally on a number of occasions. I have discussed with them the effects of BSC's plans upon the South Wales coal industry.

Mr. Jones

Does the Secretary of State recall that the Government's election manifesto promised the modernisation of the coal industry in South Wales? Is he aware that the Government's actions in driving the British steel corporation into importing foreign coal are inevitably forcing the National Coal Board to consider pit closures? How does he reconcile these two factors when it is already known that 12 pits have been named in the general colliery review and that one, Lewis-Merthyr, in my constituency, has been named for closure?

Mr. Edwards

The right hon. Gentleman will be aware that there is a massive investment programme for the National Coal Board and that the board has reached agreement with the British Steel Corporation about imports of coal for the current year. The corporation is not being forced into an agreement on imports of coal. The industry believes that it is essential, in the interests of future prosperity and viability, that it gets coal from abroad at a competitive rate.

Mr. Evans

Will not the right hon. Gentleman agree that Wales takes the brunt of the steel cuts with the closure of Shotton and partial closures at Llanwern and Port Talbot, which will have a serious effect on the coal industry in Wales? How many pits does the right hon. Gentleman calculate will be closed? What action is he taking to get investment in the Phurnacite plant at Aberaman, another investment that could come to Wales?

Mr. Edwards

The rundown of the British Steel Corporation's business in Wales will clearly have an effect on the coal industry in Wales, although there are other issues that have to be considered. The South Wales area director has recently given figures to the trade unions of the pits affected. The right hon. Member for Rhondda (Mr. Jones) has referred to them. I have nothing to add to what the Coal Board has said.

Sir A. Meyer

Is it not a fact that, if resources can be concentrated on pits where the geology is favourable, there can be many excellent, secure jobs in the coal industry in Wales for many years to come?

Mr. Edwards

Mr. Weekes has pointed out that if some of the heavy loss-making pits and those with the worst geological difficulties were to be closed over a period of years, there would be a viable coal industry in Wales with a strong future. I believe that he gave evidence to that effect to the Select Committee recently.