§ Mr. Ness Edwardsasked the Minister of Power (1) whether the acceleration of the pit closing programme has been the result of any Ministerial directions;
(2) how many pits will be left in operation in the South Wales coalfield as a result of the recently announced acceleration of the pit closure programme.
§ Mr. Kelleyasked the Minister of Power how many pits will remain in production in the Yorkshire coalfield following the completion of the accelerated closure plan.
§ Mr. Concannonasked the Minister of Power how many pits will be left open 84W in the East Midlands division after the recently announced programme of pit closures.
§ Mr. MarshThere is no question of a new and accelerated pit closure programme. The recent references by the Chairman of the National Coal Board were to the programme announced in the House in November, 1965, during the second reading debate on the Coal Industry Bill. A colliery classification list was published at the time, to give a broad indication of the collieries likely to be closed by 1970 and to enable Regional Planning Councils to assess the implications for their regions. However, colliery conditions and performance are liable to change so that it is impossible to say precisely which pits will close and which will be open in 1970. The National Coal Board still expect to offer employment in the industry to all able-bodied men affected by closures who are willing to transfer. The Board is responsible for deciding on individual closures after consultations with the unions.