HC Deb 31 January 1983 vol 36 cc11-2
12. Mr. Edwin Wainwright

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what recent representations he has received from the National Union of Mineworkers; and what responses he has made.

13. Mr. Tam Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what recent representations he has received from the National Union of Mineworkers relating to the future of the coal industry; and what replies he has given.

Mr. John Moore

My right hon. Friend and I have received communications from the National Union of Mineworkers on a variety of topics in the past few months. Naturally, we take account of these in making decisions on the matters involved.

Mr. Wainwright

Does the Minister realise that in spite of what has been said the NUM is deeply concerned at how the Government are dragging their feet in coal liquefaction at the Point of Ayr and at the progress being made there? Does the Minister agree that some further benefits could be given to encourage industries that are doing well in converting from gas and oil to coal? When will there be further development at the Vale of Belvoir?

Mr. Moore

I shall try to address myself to one of those questions. I have received letters about liquefacation, but not from the NUM. I shall assume that I might receive such a letter, and provided that everything goes well with the new £500,000 that the Government are offering to the coal board to help with the new design studies, we can expect construction to commence in mid-1984, provided that all the other conditions are met.

Mr. Dalyell

Can the Department help the NUM and the Scottish area of the coal board to resettle the Kinneil miners, who were promised jobs elsewhere in the Langannet complex?

Mr. Moore

I shall draw the hon. Gentleman's remarks to the attention of the coal board. It is a detailed matter related specifically to Scotland. I recall the board's public undertakings. The board has made it clear that there are sufficient jobs at other collieries in the area.

Mr. Eggar

Would not the future of the coal industry be best served if the NUM agreed to allow the closure of the 30 most inefficient pits?

Mr. Skinner

What nonsense.

Mr. Moore

I would not begin to debate in detail what happens at individual pits. It is clear to all who have a commitment to the long-term success of the coal industry that the faster the industry is able to remove its uneconomic tail and apply its investment to long-term, successful pits, the faster the industry will hold its present markets and gain new ones.

Mr. Allen McKay

Following the question asked by my hon. Friend the Member for Dearne Valley (Mr.

Wainwright), may I ask when the Government will be in a position to announce a decision about the Belvoir coalfield, which is to replace the Leicester coalfield?

Mr. Moore

As all hon. Members know, that is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment. Obviously, I hope that a statement can be issued shortly.

Sir Anthony Meyer

Will my hon. Friend answer my earlier question, which I do not think my right hon. Friend heard, and give us some idea of when work may be expected to start on the Point of Ayr coal liquefaction project?

Mr. Moore

I thought that I had made it clear to the hon. Member for Dearne Valley, (Mr. Wainwright) that, provided that the conditions were met, with the £500,000 of new Government aid, construction might be expected to begin in mid-1984.

Mr. John Smith

Will the Minister resist the cries, which are increasing in intensity, from Conservative Back Benchers for a wholesale closure programme for British collieries and recognise that views of that kind cannot produce a balanced energy programme?

Mr. Moore

The view of all who are interested in a balanced energy programme and in the success of our coal industry is, I hope, that we should advance, if we can, and as fast as we can, the process of closure of uneconomic capacity. That is in the interests of all who wish the industry to succeed and I hope that all will help to achieve that rational goal.