HC Deb 25 March 1991 vol 188 cc598-9
12. Mr. Eadie

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what information he has received regarding contraction of manpower in the coal industry.

Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

Manpower levels within the coal industry are a matter for British Coal. The key factor will be the extent to which the industry can maintain a profitable share of the energy market.

Mr. Eadie

But surely, as has transpired during this Question Time, it is absurd that at the same time as miners are creating record levels of coal production, Mr. Baker has announced that, when the next contracts are agreed, National Power wants to import 50 per cent. of its generating capacity. Does the Minister agree that that policy will mean that there will be more pit closures and thousands of miners will be flung on the scrap heap? Is his answer to the House that all that the Government can do is appoint a new chairman for British Coal at a salary of £250,000 and depend on the privatisation of the coal industry to solve its problems?

Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

We could not isolate ourselves from the world energy market, even if we were allowed to by the rules of GATT and other international treaty obligations. To keep open uneconomic pits would not provide long-term job security for mineworkers. In recent years there have been a number of job losses, but it is to the credit of the industry that they have been achieved without a single compulsory redundancy. Every mine worker wishing to remain in the industry has been offered alternative employment.

Mr. O'Brien

The Minister may believe that this is British Coal's responsibility, but is he aware that a good number of mine workers who have been made redundant because of pit closures are still trying to obtain employment? Men have been thrown out of work because of pit closures, but the Government are idly standing by and doing nothing to offer alternative employment. Is that not the Government's responsibility?

Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

The Government have not been idly standing by. We support British Coal Enterprise, which has been extremely successful in promoting and finding alternative employment in the areas hit by colliery closures.