HC Deb 27 January 1986 vol 90 cc637-8
11. Mr. Strang

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he has any plans to meet the chairman of the National Coal Board to discuss employment issues in the industry.

Mr. Peter Walker

I meet the chairman regularly to discuss all aspects of the coal industry.

Mr. Strang

Following the disgraceful answers by his hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary, will the Secretary of State face the fact that there were 206 victimised miners in Scotland, that 76 have been reinstated, but that there are 11 men who have gone before industrial tribunals which have recommended reinstatement yet the NCB has refused point blank to reinstate them? Is the Secretary of State defending that?

Mr. Walker

I only wish that the hon. Gentleman had taken more interest in those who suffered from the violence during the dispute, and in the miners who were unreasonably treated because they went to work. All that I can say is that that is a matter for the management. The hon. Gentleman referred to some specific cases, and appeals will be taking place.

Mr. Batiste

At his next meeting with the chairman, will my right hon. Friend congratulate him on the extraordinary success of NCB (Enterprise) Ltd. in creating jobs in mining areas? Is he aware that that success will encourage many further applicants to come forward? Will he confirm that the Government will make available to the company all the money that it can usefully use?

Mr. Walker

I can confirm that with present progress, because NCB (Enterprise) Ltd. is attracting about £6 for every £1 that it is investing, it looks as if, even under the present allocation, about £120 million of investment will go into new enterprises in coal mining areas where closures have had to take place. That is a stark contrast to the record of Governments in the past, when massive closure took place and there was no such thing as an enterprise company.

Mr. Wrigglesworth

Does the Secretary of State agree that, despite the very good record of NCB (Enterprise) Ltd., many miners who have been made redundant are still not finding new employment? Will he speak to the chairman and make it clear that if NCB (Enterprise) Ltd. requires more resources it will receive them?

Mr. Walker

There is no need to speak to the chairman, because I have already made that clear in the House of Commons. The chairman agrees with that policy, and the coal board is very eager for it to succeed. Hon. Members who saw the exhibition upstairs last week will know how enthusiastic it is.

Mr. Gerald Howarth

When my right hon. Friend next meets the chairman, will he ask whether the board can confirm that it will be able to fulfil its targets for financial break-even?

Mr. Walker

Clearly a number of factors are involved, but present progress is exceedingly good.