HC Deb 21 April 1993 vol 223 cc314-5
11. Mr. Enright

To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he will hold discussions with insurance companies on the problems facing miners who wish to insure against unemployment; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Eggar

The issue of policies and their terms are for the commercial judgment of insurance companies. It would not be appropriate to intervene in their commercial decisions. However, as my hon. Friend the Member for Littleborough and Saddleworth (Mr. Dickens) said, miners who are made redundant are eligible for generous redundancy payments of up to £37,000 per man.

Mr. Enright

Will the Minister persuade his right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade to take time off from dipping his hand in the till of miners' pensions with the same ease with which he used to whirl the Mace, and consider the problem of miners in pits such as Stillingfleet, who have a long future ahead of them but are unable to obtain insurance due to the document uttered by the Minister, "Prospects for Coal"? Insurance companies no longer think that any pit has a future. We are not talking about redundant miners, but miners who are in work—what is the Minister going to do about it?

Mr. Eggar

I hope that the hon. Gentleman will reflect on the use of language. I do not understand how he believes that the cause that he seeks to promote is furthered by using language as he has just done.

Mr. Quentin Davies

How many jobs are being created for miners who have been made redundant by British Coal Enterprise and other Government initiatives in coal mines or former coal mining areas?

Mr. Eggar

British Coal Enterprise is playing an active role in finding additional jobs and relocating individuals. Between 1987 and 1992, no fewer than 84 per cent. of all those who registered with British Coal Enterprise were found long-term employment within a year to 18 months. That is a very impressive record.

Mr. Stevenson

Is the Minister aware that any insurance that may be available against job losses is no substitute for a job? In my constituency, it is estimated that the proposed cruel closure of Trentham colliery will lead to 4,400 people losing their jobs with a loss to the local economy of £84 million. Is the Minister prepared to assure us that the resources available to create employment will reflect that tragic and massive loss in that area?

Mr. Eggar

The Trentham colliery is part of the continuing consultation process on the closures. Should it be decided that Trentham be closed, of course the private sector will be able to lease or, in due course, purchase Trentham. I am sure that that is something which the hon. Gentleman will welcome.

Mr. Oppenheim

Is my hon. Friend aware that thousands of former miners in my constituency were made redundant and given a pittance for redundancy pay under previous Labour Governments, so the Opposition have no right to preach to us about hands in tills when it comes to miners? Do not millions of workers in other industries rely for their jobs on competitively priced energy, and to give coal a monopoly on energy, as Labour would like, would put thousands of jobs at risk elsewhere in the economy?

Mr. Eggar

The hypocrisy of the Opposition knows no bounds.

Mr. Enright

On a point of order, Madam Speaker. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Minister's answer, I propose to ask for an Adjournment debate.