HC Deb 19 December 1983 vol 51 c12
14. Mr. Ray Powell

asked the Secretary of State for Energy when he next expects to meet the chairman of the National Coal Board to discuss new investment in the industry.

Mr. Giles Shaw

I meet the chairman regularly and have discussion with him on all aspects of the industry.

Mr. Powell

Earlier today the Secretary of State said that he wanted an increase of Christmas cheer. Will he now make an urgent call to the chairman of the NCB and ask him to give some Christmas cheer to the 550 miners in Ogmore who are manning the only pit, which is now to be closed? Will he do some further research into investment in the coal industry in Wales in general and save a number of pits which are threatened with closure?

Mr. Shaw

I understand the hon. Gentleman's reason for raising this matter, but he will know that the NCB is responsible for making such decisions through agreed procedures, which include local consultation and representations. I shall draw the attention of the chairman of the NCB to what the hon. Gentleman has said.

17. Mr. Lofthouse

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

Mr. Giles Shaw

I meet the chairman regularly and discuss with him all aspects of the industry.

Mr. Lofthouse

Will the Minister fix a firm date for a meeting of the chairman of the National Coal Board with the Government and the three mining unions, based on the tripartite arrangements? Will he confirm his support for "Plan for Coal", based on a judgment of the long-term future of the need for coal in this country, not on short-term market fluctuations?

Mr. Shaw

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has made it clear that, should the National Coal Board and the National Union of Mineworkers jointly agree on an agenda for discussion with him, he will be happy to take part in such a discussion. I remind the hon. Gentleman that there was a meeting between the National Coal Board, the National Union of Mineworkers and the other important unions in the industry, from which it would appear that some of the unions, at any rate, did not agree with what the NUM said.