§ Mr. Dennis Skinner (Bolsover)I beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House, under Standing Order No. 9, for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration, namely,
The threatened closure of coal mines.I have just come back from the National Coal Board; I was not chucked out. I have not had an opportunity to raise the matter with you, Mr. Speaker, because I dashed straight in from Hobart House.The matter is serious, because 30,000 miners are being thrown on the scrap heap. It is important, because of what I said about the miners and because we could be witnessing another period of a pit closure programme from which we cannot escape, because pits, like so many factories—but not all—are unable to be reopened. It is important that we raise this matter at an early stage, because of what the Prime Minister said today in response to my right hon. Friend the Leader of the Opposition, when she implied that the closure programme had nothing to do with the Government. I have a statement from the board—not from the union—which says that it is as a result of the run-down of the economy that between 8 million and 10 million tons of coal must be—[HON. MEMBERS: "TOO long."]
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. The hon. Member for Bolsover (Mr. Skinner) is entitled to raise this matter. I should have taken it before the notice of motion, but the hon. Gentleman had not given me notice. Therefore, I was not to know what matter he would raise. However, he must not make the speech that he would have made if I had granted the application. He must confine his arguments to saying why the matter is urgent, important and necessary.
§ Mr. SkinnerI shall forgive you, Mr. Speaker.
The matter is urgent, because, as a result of the joint discussions this morning, arising from the executive meeting on Thursday of the NUM and other affiliated bodies, it is likely that a joint meeting with the Department of Energy and perhaps also the Prime Minister will be requested. It would fall into line with what my right hon. Friend said during questions, namely, that the House should discuss this matter before talks are considered.
742 The matter is also important, because, if we are to ensure the future of the coal industry, it is necessary to put a curb on the ever-growing total of imports under the auspices of the Government. They have risen by as much as three times since the last year of the Labour Government. They need to be reduced, and urgent measures must be taken.
The matter is urgent, because the coal industry, unlike many others that have fallen foul of the Government, has been increasing its productivity faster than any other. It is in line with Government policy. If we are to ensure that Government policy is to be kept intact, why should an industry that has managed to increase its productivity be thrown on to the scrap heap like the rest of them as a result of the general run-down in industry?
The issue is very important. The miners' unions and other unions—not merely in some of the so-called militant areas but throughout the coal fields—have said that they will not stand for this closure programme. Therefore, it is essential that we give the matter priority for a debate at the earliest opportunity.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Member seeks leave to move the Adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that he believes should have urgent consideration, namely,
The threatened closure of coal mines.As the House knows, under Standing Order No. 9 I am directed to take into account the several factors set out in the Order but to give no reason for my decision. I listened carefully to the hon. Gentleman and to the representations that he made, but I must rule that his submission does not fall within the provisions of the Standing Order and, therefore, I cannot submit his application to the House.
§ Mr. SkinnerBut I can try again.