§ 17. Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy how many miners there were in 1979; how many there are at present; and what information he has of British Coal's estimate of long-term trends in future numbers working in the industry.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerAt the end of British Coal's 1988–89 financial year there were 81,739 men on colliery books compared with 233,163 at the end of 1979–80. Numbers for future years will depend on the performance of individual collieries and the success of British Coal in meeting the requirements of its customers.
§ Mr. AllenIs the Minister aware that those numbers will decline even further unless the Government take action to prevent major imports of coal? Will he look at the possibility of subsidising exported coal to the same extent as nations such as Russia, South Africa, many South American countries, Poland and Australia, subsidise their exports to this country? Will he introduce some balance into subsidy?
§ Mr. SpicerFirst, I must draw the hon. Gentleman's attention to the fact that those reductions in manpower from 233,000 to 81,000, which are considerable, have been accompanied by an almost static production rate, which shows a tremendous, fantastic increase in productivity. Secondly, I remind him of the Government's policy to ensure that that improved performance will continue in future. That continuation will be sufficient to beat off imports. We shall not introduce either increased subsidies on the present levels, which are considerable— we have spent £9 billion of taxpayers' money in recent years, and the hon. Gentleman should remember that when he talks about coal subsidies— or import controls, because that would not be in the best interest of consumers, particularly of electricity.