§ 22. Sir William van Straubenzeeasked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the current level of coal stocks at the power stations to the nearest convenient date.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerCoal stocks at power stations are sufficient to meet electricity demand for many months ahead.
§ Sir William van StraubenzeeAre not this afternoon's proceedings a terrible lesson to my right hon. Friend for failing to group my question with Nos. 2 and 8, in the hope, no doubt, that it would not be reached? Will he note that the old codgers in the House can be persistent and that a large number of my constituents have willingly contributed through taxation to the investment in the mines to which he referred and now expect the line taken by the NCB to be firmly held?
§ Mr. WalkerHad I known that my hon. Friend would ask such a helpful supplementary question I should not have conspired against him in the intolerable way that I did. The substantial investments in the coal industry will provide a very good future for it. That is why I hope that there will be a speedy settlement, because if ever there was a major industrial dispute without any reason it is the current situation in the mining industry.
§ Mr. RogersBefore Question Time ends, will the Secretary of State congratulate the NUM and its leaders on its valiant fight against the NCB to protect the jobs of its members and their children? Will he disabuse those of his colleagues who constantly trot out claptrap about "no compulsory redundancies" and admit that any rundown in a mining area means a real job loss and that, with 30 per cent. unemployment in some areas, there is nowhere for anyone to go? The people involved will be without jobs for the rest of their lives.
§ Mr. WalkerThat is why I congratulate the NCB on creating a situation in which not one miner will be compulsorily made redundant. It is also why I support the many miners working today who realise that by so doing they are likely to gain rather than lose future markets for coal.