§ Mr. Ainsleyasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that a number of men finished work last weekend at the Crook Drift Colliery and that recent tests are causing further concern in the Crook and Willington area; and what steps he is taking to find jobs for the men displaced.
§ Mr. WhitelawI am aware that as a result of a partial colliery closure on 2nd May, 69 miners were affected and the future of a further 13 is to be considered later. Alternative employment was offered by the National Coal Board to 64 of the men affected and 45 have10W accepted. Twenty miners have registered with our local officers and we are doing all we can to help them find other work.