HL Deb 18 March 1981 vol 418 cc757-8

2.43 p.m.

Lord Davies of Leek

My Lords, in begging leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper, may I point out that there is no such Welsh name as "Margin"; the word should be printed as "Margam".

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are prepared to finance the development of the Margam Coal Field in South Wales.

Lord Skelmersdale

My Lords, it is for the National Coal Board to decide their policy on specific projects. I am grateful to the noble Lord for that correction.

Lord Davies of Leek

My Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that Answer and while partly agreeing with him, may I ask whether he is aware that to maintain the craft and skill of miners during a depression it is necessary for us to see some hope for the further development of this rich coal field in the Margam area in the future? I hope the Government and the NCB together can reach agreement financially for the experimental sinking of the Margam shafts.

Lord Skelmersdale

My Lords, the Government and the Coal Board are considering that among all their other projects.

Lord Davies of Leek

I thank the Minister.

Lord Heycock

My Lords, having been involved in the preliminary discussions between the local authority and the National Coal Board, may I say that certain difficulties have been overcome? First, the question if its being adjacent to Margam Park has been overcome; and secondly, the question of planning has been resolved, and we were looking forward in this area, from which I come—bearing in mind the tremendous amount of coal that is under the ground, something we know as a result of the boring that has been done—to development taking place in the area. We felt that—

Several noble Lords: Question!

Lord Heycock

I apologise to the House, my Lords; I am more used to speaking at local authority meetings. Is the Minister aware that developments were, we felt, going to take place in the area? Port Talbot has suffered grievously from the rundown that has taken place—

Several noble Lords: Question!

Lord Heycock

My Lords, is the Minister aware that Port Talbot has suffered greatly from the rundown of the steel industry? I hope the Minister will at least have discussions with the Coal Board to see what can be done to reverse the decision not to establish coal fields in this particular area.

Lord Skelmersdale

So far as I know, my Lords, no decision on that has actually been taken. I will bring the noble Lord's points to the attention of Sir Derek, but I think that is as far as I can go now.

Lord Heycock

I thought a decision had been taken, my Lords. There has been a statement in the press that they are not going forward with this development, and that is of great concern to the people of the area from which I come. If the Minister says no decision has yet been taken—

Several noble Lords: Question!

Lord Heycock

My Lords, is the Minister aware that, despite his statement that no decision has yet been taken, statements have appeared in the press to the effect that no development is to take place in the area? I am merely asking the noble Lord if the Government will reconsider the matter in negotiation with the NCB.

Lord Skelmersdale

My Lords, I thought I said that so far as I was aware no decision had yet been taken. I stand by that. I would add that to my certain knowledge discussions are still going on.