HC Deb 09 March 1987 vol 112 cc4-6
5. Mr. Eadie

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if the chairman of British Coal has kept him informed about the results of his review of cases involving dismissed miners; and if he will make a statement.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy (Mr. David Hunt)

On 8 September 1986, the chairman of British Coal announced a final internal review that would look at all outstanding cases of alleged unfair dismissal arising from the National Union of Mineworkers strike. The result of that review is not yet available, although I understand it is now nearing completion.

Mr. Eadie

Since it was in October last year that the chairman of British Coal promised a review of the cases of the dismissed miners, is it not time that we knew the results of that review? Is the Minister aware that, despite the fact that the strike has been over for two years, 113 Scottish miners are still dismissed? Is the Minister aware that the dispute will never be over until justice is seen to be done and these men from all over the country are reinstated?

Mr. Hunt

The hon. Gentleman is aware that the dismissal and re-employment of employees is a matter for British Coal. Indeed that would be the case with any employer. The hon. Gentleman will also be aware that, of the 1,014 members dismissed as a result of that tragic and unnecessary strike, over half have been taken back. I plead with the hon. Gentleman for one moment to lift up his eyes from his normal Scargill brief and to recognise that the barriers to progress, which have been built up over the years by negative attitudes and entrenched by restrictive practices, are coming down all over the coal industry. It is about time that the hon. Gentleman recognised that the only power left to Arthur Scargill appears to be the control that he exercises over the Labour party's energy policy.

Mr. Hannam

When discussing coalfield manning will my hon. Friend congratulate the chairman of British Coal on the acceptance by the South Wales miners at Margam, as a result of their vote last Thursday, of the six-day shift system? Has my hon. Friend noted that that vote took place exactly two years to the day after the end of the coal strike?

Mr. Hunt

My hon. Friend is right to point out that a far better topic of conversation with the chairman of British Coal would be the important meeting on Margam. My hon. Friend is right that that vote took place exactly two years to the day after the tragic and unnecessary strike.

The industry has moved on and I wish that Opposition Members would recognise that. The industry has moved away from the political strikes of the past and from the negative, confrontational style of Arthur Scargill and towards the most positive attitude to productivity ever seen by the nation.

Mr. Allen McKay

Does the Minister agree that his answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Midlothian (Mr. Eadie) was less than helpful? Our concern is for miners who have been dismissed— in some cases for reasons that would not have warranted dismissal in normal circumstances. Some of the cases for dismissal result from stealing a bit of coal and the Minister and I would have done that if we had found ourselves in similar circumstances. [Interruption.] If Conservative Members would not have done, they have forgotten their marriage vows. Does the Minister agree that it would be a good stroke for industrial relations to make a magnanimous gesture in these cases?

Mr. Hunt

As well as hoping that the hon. Gentleman will regret some of his words, I wish to make it clear that what I was protesting about is that Opposition Members are aware that these are matters for British Coal and that a review is being carried out. Over half the miners concerned have already been taken back. It is not a matter for Ministers.

Mr. Pollock

When my hon. Friend next meets the chairman of British Coal will he take the opportunity to congratulate, through him, the management and the work force on achieving record levels of productivity? Surely, it is that productivity that offers a better prospect of security and continuity of employment for the work force?

Mr. Hunt

I believe that the enthusiasm and determination of the men and management in pushing through the new productivity records will take the industry into a stable and viable future. It will ensure good markets and job security.