Pit Closures (Hansard, 28 October 1992)

§ Mr. Don Dixon (Jarrow)
I beg leave to present a petition on behalf of thousands of my constituents. It states: To the honourable the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland assembled. The humble petition of the inhabitants of the Jarrow constituency sheweth that the present plans of British Coal to close 31 pits with 31,000 job losses, in particular Westoe colliery which will, if closed, throw 1,200 miners on the industrial scrap heap. This short-term policy will be to the long-term detriment of Jarrow constituency and the nation. If Westoe colliery closes—it is the fourth largest colliery in south Tyneside—the male unemployment rate in south Tyneside will be more than 25 per cent. One third of those people will have been out of work for more than 12 months. The petition concludes with the words: Wherefore your Petitioners pray that your honourable House will take measures to stop those plans going ahead, resulting in so much social and economic hardship for thousands of families. And your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray.

§ Mr. Bill Olner (Nuneaton)
I beg leave to present a petition. It states: To the honourable the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Parliament assembled. The humble petition is in the name of M. Tandy and 4,817 of my constituents. It sheweth that the present plans of British Coal to close 31 pits with 31,000 job losses will be to the detriment of the Warwickshire Coalfield and the nation. The signatures were collected during a few hours at Nuneaton town centre last Saturday and they show the depth of feeling of those people and many others of my constituents. The petition concludes: Wherefore your Petitioners pray that your honourable House will take measures to stop those plans going ahead, which will result in so much social and economic hardship for thousands of families. And your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray.

§ Dr. David Clark (South Shields)
I present a petition signed by thousands of my constituents who oppose the Government's proposals to close 31 pits with the loss of 31,000 jobs, particularly Westoe colliery in my constituency. Those who have signed the petition regard the proposals to write off our coal reserves and obtain future energy supplies from imported coal and gas as short-sighted, foolish and economically incompetent.
The petitioners are particularly worried about plans to close Westoe colliery in South Shields, with the loss of 1,200 jobs. They are alarmed at the effect of the closure on the local economy, especially as the unemployment rate in South Tyneside is the highest in Great Britain and is currently in excess of 18 per cent.
The petition concludes: Wherefore your Petitioners pray that your honourabe House will take measures to stop these plans going ahead which will result in so much social and economic hardship for thousands of families.

§ Mr. Bill Etherington (Sunderland, North)
I wish to present a petition on behalf of my constituents. It states: To the Honourable the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Parliament assembled. The Humble Petition of the residents of the City of Sunderland and surrounding areas Sheweth That the recent announcement of pit closures has filled the people of the City of Sunderland with deep concern because of the consequential loss of employment for miners. They are also concerned because of the possible effect on ancillary industries. Eight thousand, four hundred and forty two of these people have expressed their concern by signing this petition. I am proud to present the petition on behalf of my constituents, and fully support what they say. Wearmouth is under threat in a district where there is already male unemployment of 21.7 per cent.
The petition continues: Wherefore your Petitioners pray that your honourable House carefully consider the case for the recently announced pit closures. We also ask that the closures should not proceed unless and until they have been shown to be economically and socially justified. And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray.