Coal Industry

HC Deb 13 July 1987 vol 119 cc695-7

11. Mr. Neil Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what has been the increase in labour productivity in the coal mining industry since March 1984.

24. Mr. Ward

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what are British Coal's latest figures for output per man shift.

Mr. Michael Spicer

For the week ending 20 June, average deep-mined revenue output per man shift was 3.74 tonnes, an impressive increase of about 54 per cent. on the average of 2.43 tonnes for 1983–84.

Mr. Hamilton

Is it not a pity that we did not have similar productivity figures in the coal industry in the past? If we had, there would be more jobs in coal today and miners would be even better paid. Is it not a shame that the Labour party supported every restricted practice that the Scargillite dinosaurs in the National Union of Mineworkers wanted to perpetuate? Has my hon. Friend had any representations from Labour Members on extending flexibility in working practices, for example, by supporting the six-day week?

Mr. Spicer

It is true that in the last days of the Labour Administration productivity was falling, and it is also true that the industry now has an impressive record. It results as much from new investment in the industry as from the closure of uneconomic pits. That investment has been £5.5 billion during the lifetime of this Government, and is currently £2 million per working day.

Mr. Ward

Those figures are impressive, but is it not a fact that they compare unfavourably with some of our foreign competitors? Is not the lesson the need for more investment, more productivity and, above all, support for the introduction of a six-day week?

Mr. Spicer

It is true that many countries produce coal more effectively. Some coal-exporting countries producecoal at over twice our productivity rate. It is also true that it is absolutely essential that we continue to introduce new practices to make the industry more efficient.

Mr. Allen McKay

Does the Minister realise that output per man shift can be achieved by reducing manpower? Does he agree that the magnificent figures that we have achieved—there is no doubt that they are magnificent—are due to a reduction in manpower, and that, therefore, there is an increase in OMS'? Following his reply to the hon. Member for Poole (Mr. Ward), irrespective of whether coal is cheaper abroad, what effect will privatisation of the electricity industry have on the coalmining industry?

Mr. Spicer

The answer to the hon. Gentleman's first question is yes. The answer to his second question is that it is the Government's intention and objective that British Coal should be so efficient and competitive that there will be no question of its not being able to take on foreign competition.

Mr. Ashton

Is the Minister aware that the proposed six-day week will affect not only miners? Many thousands of people who live in mining villages and mining areas, often in rural areas, will be badly affected by noise, dirt and dust, lorries and Sunday night processions to the pit. Those matters also have to be taken into account, because six-day working does not affect just miners.

Mr. Spicer

Let me be quite clear about this. The six-day working week will mean that equipment, not men, will be working harder. Men will work the same or fewer days in the year, as is the case at the moment. A more efficient procedure for working mines is proposed and this will benefit those mines and the areas around them.

Mr. Andy Stewart

In welcoming my hon. Friend to the Front Bench, may I say that he will be welcome in my constituency when he is ready to make his first visit to a colliery. When he makes such a visit, will he explain to the people who work in the industry that six-day working means not necessarily longer working time but a higher financial return to the miners who produce the coal?

Mr. Spicer

I look forward at some stage to taking up my hon. Friend's invitation. It will not be my first time down a pit, as I was a candidate in a colliery constituency for 10 years and during that time I visited pits on many occasions. Certainly he is right in saying that a six-day working week will make the pits more effective, and it does not mean that men will be asked to work more during any one year than they are at the moment.

Mr. Eadie

The Minister must realise that while we welcome increased coal production it has to be matched by increased demand. A consequence of increased coal production must not be more pit closures. Does the Minister believe that it is fair competition for coal to be imported from Colombia, where it is mined by nine-year-old children? Does he think that coal imported from South Africa is fair competition? Does he agree that the message to the miners must be increased coal production and increased demand, but fair competition?

Mr. Spicer

I would put it slightly differently from the hon. Gentleman. Increased coal production has to be sold. Coal has to be sold as an economic product. I am sure the hon. Gentleman knows that the vast majority of coal imports to this country are special coking coals. It is precisely because British Coal understands that that the Margam pit is being proposed. If it works properly, Margam will provide coking coal that will be an import substitute.

12. Mr. Strang

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will seek a meeting with the chairman of British Coal to discuss industrial relations matters; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Parkinson

I have had an initial meeting with Sir Robert Haslam and intend to meet him regularly to discuss all aspects of the coal industry.

Mr. Strang

Does the Secretary of State accept that Opposition Members want to see better relations between British Coal and the NUM, but that one of the continued obstacles to progress is the victimisation of hundreds of miners and their families more than two years after the strike? Is he aware that some of the miners took the advice of his predecessor, went before an industrial tribunal and won their case, but are still suffering victimisation from British Coal?

Mr. Skinner

Come on, you have got your job back.

Mr. Parkinson

And the hon. Gentleman has never had one. Employment is a matter for the directors of British Coal. The hon. Member for Edinburgh, East (M. Strang) is aware that every case was re-examined after the appointment of Sir Robert Haslam. Representations on behalf of the men by their unions, managers and other parties were considered, and, at the end of the day, the board decided that more than 300 could not be reemployed. That is a matter for the board. However, I am satisfied that careful consideration was given to each case.