HC Deb 24 June 1985 vol 81 cc619-21
4. Mr. Douglas

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the reduction in the level of output, manning and number of pits in the British coal industry since the end of the dispute in the industry.

The Secretary of State for Energy (Mr. Peter Walker)

Since the end of the strike, production has recovered well in most areas. I understand that coal deliveries last week were over 2.5 million tonnes, the highest for five years.

Mr. Douglas

Will the right hon. Gentleman give some indication of coal imports? Will he give me an assurance about investment in the Comrie colliery in Fife and the Longannet complex? Will he also comment on morale in the industry, especially in Scotland where 203 men who were dismissed during the strike have not been re-employed because of the obduracy and bone-headedness of the NCB chairman?

Mr. Walker

I think that morale in the industry would have been adversely affected by some of the violence displayed in Scotland. Obviously, such a dispute will have certain effects. I shall write to the hon. Gentleman about investment in the colliery to which he referred.

Mr. Maude

Does my right hon. Friend agree that it is crucial for the NCB to move from high-cost to low-cost capacity, and that an important contribution to that change will be the speedy implementation of the plans for the south Warwickshire prospect?

Mr. Walker

I believe that a general welcome has been given to the fact that in south Warwickshire there is potential for a very heavy investment programme and production of coal at low cost. That is certainly important to the industry's future.

Mr. Ray Powell

I remind the Secretary of State that the purpose of the coal mining dispute was primarily to fight against pit closures. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the NCB has already announced the closure of St. John's colliery in Maesteg? Three weeks ago, I asked the rigt hon. Gentleman whether he would set up an inquiry to ascertain why that colliery would be closed and whether he would give me some details. I remind him that on Saturday I attended the last function of the mining apprentices club in mid-Glamorgan. That club, which was established 15 years ago, has had to be wound up because it no longer has sufficient apprentices.

Mr. Walker

At regional level, I know that the proposals for Wales are being discussed among the unions. The modified pit closure procedure that has been suggested by the NCB will be raised in further discussions with those unions. Any closure will be fully looked at, if necessary by an independent group, before any final decision is made.

Mr. Peter Bruinvels

Why should my right hon. Friend have to talk about reductions in coal output when it was Scargill who caused such reductions? Should not my right hon. Friend congratulate pits, such as the Leicestershire coal mines, on their excellent output and good manning levels? Will he join me in criticising what the Select Committee on Employment has done? That Select Committee, and no one else, has diminished morale in the industry. We should be encouraging our miners to get on with the job of producing more coal.

Mr. Walker

In my reply I said that production in most parts of the country is fast returning to normal levels, and in some areas it is at very high levels. The fact that more coal was moved last week than at any time for five years is another reflection on the fact that the industry needs encouragement and that some people should not take the attitude that my hon. Friend has mentioned.

Mr. Orme

What discussions has the Secretary of State had about a new "Plan for Coal"? He will be aware that the present plan runs out this year. Does he agree that if we are looking to the future of the industry there should be an overall plan, which could be agreed between the unions, the Government and the NCB?

Mr. Walker

Yes. I gather that in that sphere the board is preparing views to put to the unions. There will be a meeting with the unions to discuss in principle what is required for a plan that will produce coal at the right price to take full advantage of the market opportunities and of the high investment that has gone into that industry. Therefore, I believe that talks will take place along the lines that the right hon. Gentleman envisages.