National Coal Board (Hansard, 12 May 1986)

§ 13. Mr. Skinner
asked the Secretary of State for Energy what recent discussions he has had with the chairman of the National Coal Board; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Peter Walker
I meet the chairman of the National Coal Board at regular intervals to discuss a wide variety of issues concerning the coal industry.

§ Mr. Skinner
Will the Secretary of State be complimenting the chairman of British Coal on the fact that, unlike the miners, he will receive his golden handshake from his firm as well as his wages, even though it takes two to make a strike? Will he ask him to publish a list of those employed by NCB (Enterprise) Ltd.? It has been drawn to our attention that two of the people who have obtained real jobs in that company are Colin Clarke, who was a member of the National Working Miners Committee, who recently received his redundancy pay from the Coal Board, and Roy Ottey, who did not support the strike although he was a member of the NUM executive, but who supported MacGregor and the Secretary of State for Energy? Is it not a question of jobs for the boys who supported MacGregor, the Secretary of State and the Prime Minister, and not for displaced miners?

§ Mr. Walker
The productivity improvements that have taken place in the coal industry over the past year will do more to guarantee future jobs in the industry than anything else that has taken place. We are hearing incredible carping about an organisation that has already produced more than 6,000 new jobs and encouraged £50 million-worth of new investment, with another £10 million being allocated to it. I only wish that the hon. Gentleman would praise the excellent work that is being done, instead of carping.

§ Mr. Rost
Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that the board is now giving proper recognition to the Union of Democratic Mineworkers as the only union representing the best interests of the miners and the future of the coal mining industry?

§ Mr. Walker
The board is giving recognition to those unions which have the majority representation in the various establishments.

§ Mr. Hardy
As even this Government accept that the coal industry must have a significant future, is it not sad that the board's youngest employee in south Yorkshire is now almost 20 years of age? When the Secretary of State next meets the chairman of the board, will he point out that the board needs to appoint more young people to ensure that there is continuity of labour and maintenance of skills in the industry?

§ Mr. Walker
Yes. I shall bring the hon. Gentleman's point to the board's attention.

§ Mr. Michael Clark
When my right hon. Friend met the chairman of the board, did he discuss with him the possibility of raising productivity in British pits to a higher level than it has reached already, ackowledging that there has been a great increase in productivity since the strike?

§ Mr. Walker
Yes. I think the Coal Board is well aware that fierce competition exists in world markets and that it is important to have still further improvements in world productivity.

§ Mr. Orme
The Secretary of State urged dismissed miners to put their case to industrial tribunals, and what has been the result? Is he aware that in 62 cases reemployment was advised by tribunals, but that only six dismissed miners have been taken back by the board? Is this justice? What will he do about this?

§ Mr. Walker
It is a matter for the board, and the board will have to make its decision.