HC Deb 10 March 1980 vol 980 cc903-6
4. Mr. Canavan

asked the Secretary of State for Energy when next he expects to meet the chairman of the National Coal Board.

12. Mr. Adley

asked the Secretary of State for Energy when he next intends to meet the leaders of the National Coal Board.

18. Mr. Edwin Wainwright

asked the Secretary of State for Energy when last he met the chairman of the National Coal Board.

The Under-Secretary of State for Energy (Mr. John Moore)

I meet the chairman frequently.

Mr. Canavan

Will the Minister give the NCB every encouragement to go ahead with the proposed £7 million investment at Polmaise colliery in my constituency? Is he aware that that would help to ensure a more viable future for the colliery and better job prospects for my constituents? Does he agree that new investment would vindicate the fight that the miners and I put up several years ago to stop the closure of the pit, which has since risen to near the top of the league table for output per man-shift?

Mr. Moore

I know that new developments are being proposed at Polmaise. I do not wish to go into detail now, but a scheme might be prepared for consideration by the board, which, clearly, will give serious consideration to any rational proposals for such profitable developments.

Mr. Adley

In the light of the encouraging increases in both output and productivity—including, I believe, the first real increase in deep-mined coal since 1973—which have followed the Budget of my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the reductions in direct taxation, will my hon. Friend congratulate the board and the miners and make sure that the message is not lost on the Chancellor?

Mr. Moore

I am sure that all those involved in the coal industry will be aware that an industry with such long lead times, a heavily extractive industry, requires substantial capital, quality manpower and excellent management. Equally, I am sure that my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor will wish to be reminded that, happily, we have seen major improvements in productivity. Clearly, one would not wish to take anything away from the degree to which the tax changes have added the incentive that has improved productivity.

Mr. Wainwright

The next time the Minister meets the chairman of the NCB will he raise with him the future of the chemical and coking plants run by the board and NCB (Coal Products) Ltd? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Manvers Main coking plant is scheduled to be closed in the not-too-distant future, that we are importing coking coal and that there is heavy unemployment in the area? Will he do something to ensure that the coking plant is kept alive or that there is another to replace it?

Mr. Moore

I cannot go into detail, but I am aware of the hon. Gentleman's particular concern. I am aware that in his constituency he has two pits—Manvers and Wath that have supplied the Manvers Main plant. I am delighted by the degree to which the production of those pits has been protected under the Central Electricity Generating Board arrangements. The improved washing facilities at Manvers will help that. But the details are a matter for decision within the NCB.

Mr. John H. Osborn

Does my hon. Friend visualise that investment will lead to an expansion of output from British mines? How much of any increase will be liquified and used for petroleum and liquid fossil fuel products?

Mr. Moore

There is a £611 million-plus investment in the coal industry's capital this year, rising to more than £800 million in 1980–81. That is expected to be a profitable investment; it would not have been approved otherwise.

Mr. Hardy

Does the Minister recognise that there is a third pit involved in the Manvers Main plant—namely, Kilnhurst, in my constituency? The concern of my hon. Friend the Member for Dearne Valley (Mr. Wainwright) is entirely justified. After discussions with the chairman of the NCB, will the Government approach the European Community to try to ensure that, with particular regard to the coal industry, a much more sensible energy policy is pursued?

Mr. Moore

I recognise the hon. Gentleman's position. I know about Kilnhurst. The added capacity at Avenue at Chesterfield coke works is helping, along with the CEGB extra take. I hope that all hon. Members will join me in welcoming the degree to which the NCB has adjusted to a radical reduction in demand by one of the major clients of the coal industry for its products.

Mr. Eadie

Does the Minister agree that there is a great need for his Department continually to reaffirm its continued investment in the mining industry, for reasons that some of his hon. Friends have outlined this afternoon? As the hon. Gentleman has reconvened the working party on research and development in coal, will he outline the kind of programme that he proposes it should follow? Does he intend to publish its findings?

Mr. Moore

As the hon. Gentleman knows, we have only recently reconvened. There has been one meeting of the working party under my chairmanship. We have a long programme planned. I shall give details in a written answer if the hon. Gentleman wishes. I should like us to get further into our work before we talk about publication of the findings. I imagine that that would be in the interests of the House. Perhaps I may wait on that until we are a little further into the programme.