HC Deb 12 November 1990 vol 180 c317
6. Mr. Knox

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what has been the increase in labour productivity in the coal mining industry sinbce 1983–84.

Mr. Wakeham

British Coal is making good progress with productivity, which is up by over 80 per cent. from pre-strike levels. British Coal is again recruiting apprentices. In the week before last, British Coal and its work force achieved a best-ever productivity record of over 5 tonnes per man shift. Continuing productivity gains are essential and I belive that the industry has the technology, the investment and the will to succeed.

Mr. Knox

Does my right hon. Friend agree that that is an impressive increase in productivity? Can he say how productivity in British coal mining compares with that of our major competitors?

Mr. Wakeham

The answer, as I have said, is that British Coal has enormously increased its productivity which is now as high as the productivity of any of our competitors. However, we must bear it in mind that geological differences have a considerable effect, as does opencast mining. Opencast mining is vital for British Coal's success, but, of course, countries with a substantial amount of opencast mining have better productivity than us.

Dr. Kim Howells

In the light of the magnificent increases in productivity, will the Minister look carefully at the large tonnages of imported coal to make sure that the prices are not subsidised by the Governments of the exporting countries, because such subsidies nullify the tremendous achievements of British coal miners?

Mr. Wakeham

I agree that we should be right to be concerned if there were evidence of highly subsidised imports of coal. Of course, as the hon. Gentleman knows, the matter is primarily for the European Commission and, from time to time, British Coal has lodged complaints. So far I have not seen a substantiated case of a large amount of coal from subsidised sources.