HC Deb 11 June 1984 vol 61 cc624-5
6. Mr. Tom Cox

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how many persons were employed in coal mines which have closed since June 1979.

Mr. Giles Shaw

Since June 1979, 46 collieries have closed which, at the time of closure, employed 17,265 men on books. Of these, 12,557 transferred to other employment in the NCB, and 1,196 are still employed at the closed collieries on salvage and other activities.

Mr. Cox

Is the Minister aware that those figures will support the case that the NUM is making in the present dispute? Does he have any idea of the effects on mining communities when pits are closed and there is no other work in the area? When will he and the Government face their responsibility of creating, not destroying, jobs in that industry?

Mr. Shaw

The hon. Gentleman, when he reflects on the answer that I have given, will know that 12,557 out of the 17,000 were kept within the industry. The National Coal Board has made it clear that the policy of transfer to other work within the industry of all those who seek to remain in it remains its policy.

Mr. Patrick Thompson

With regard to future prospects and jobs in the mining industry, and, indeed, elsewhere in the country, and bearing in mind that four out of five people, according to a recent opinion poll, feel that Mr. Scargill is making a right mess of leading the NUM, does my hon. Friend agree that the sooner the leaders of the NUM go for a national ballot, and the sooner this strike comes to an end, the better it will be for industry, and for the coal mining industry in particular?

Mr. Shaw

My hon. Friend is right to say that the sooner the dispute is resolved, the better. However, in the light of the events of last Thursday and the full discussion of them, he will know that, as an additional change, the NCB is to set up an enterprise company to help to develop new sources of employment in the areas concerned.