HC Deb 28 March 1983 vol 40 cc8-9
7. Sir Anthony Meyer

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what recent discussions he has had with the chairman of the National Coal Board regarding public investment in the coal industry.

Mr. John Moore

My right hon. Friend and I meet Mr. Siddall regularly to discuss all aspects of the board's activities.

Sir Anthony Meyer

Does my hon. Friend agree that Mr. Siddall and his successor, whoever he may be, can best secure jobs for coal miners and a good standard of living for those who work in the industry by concentrating resources on those pits that have a bright future, such as the Point of Ayr pit in my constituency.

Mr. Moore

My hon. Friend is of course right. I remember visiting the Point of Ayr colliery, and when I came up from underground I remember the meeting that I held with him, the trade union representatives and the management. It is a perfect example of a pit with a good long-term future. I gather that the output per man shift there is over 3 tonnes. A sizeable investment programme of over £11 million is now in process. It is a perfect illustration of investment from which the industry will benefit.

Mr. Eadie

In meeting the present chairman of the board, does the Minister agree that it would have been much more helpful if the Government's record had been better during the past four years? For example, they have sunk no new pits since they came to office. Secondly, would it not help, in answering his hon. Friend, if he were to mention that the burden of interest that the National Coal Board is now carrying on capital borrowing is becoming crippling?

Mr. Moore

The industry has welcomed the Government's massive commitment to enormous investment in the industry, despite the enormous losses. It is hard to reconcile that statement from the Opposition with companies which not only have losses but which cannot borrow from the taxpayer the kind of money that we are talking about. Many companies would be only too happy to have the privilege of paying interest on such money borrowed from the taxpayer at very advantageous rates.

Mr. Waller

Does my hon. Friend agree that the National Coal Board has a great future, provided that the industry is efficient? Will he ensure that the new chairman of the NCB gets to grips with those parts of the industry that are a drain on public funds, so that the long-term jobs of people working in the industry are secured?

Mr. Moore

I hope that all of us wish for the coal industry to have a long-term successful future. I am sure that my hon. Friend will not mind if I add that in fact we were answering a question relating to the current chairman of the NCB, who is a very fine leader and has been seeking to put into practice the policies that the Government have been urging for the coal industry.

Mr. Ioan Evans

In view of the deep anxieties in the coalfields about the anticipated statement that Mr. MacGregor is to become the new chairman, when the statement is made today, will the Minister reassure coal areas that public investment and capacity are to be maintained and that there will be no rundown of the coal industry, as has happened in the steel industry in recent years?

Mr. Moore

I have much difficulty in reconciling that comment with the miners' ballot recently. The industry itself recognises that its future lies in producing a competitive product, with security of supply, to ensure that it keeps its current markets and wins new ones.