HC Deb 24 January 1972 vol 829 cc325-6W
Mr. Leadbitter

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the productivity per man-shift in the coal industry for each of the years from 1960 to the latest available date, and the annual rundown in manpower and the numbers of pits closed in the same period; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Ridley

The figures are:

MANPOWER, PRODUCTIVITY AND PIT CLOSURES, N.C.B. MINES
Year O.M.S. (cwts.) Percentage change on previous year Manpower Rundown (000) Pit closures
1960 28.03 — -51.0 35
1961 28.94 +3.2 -21.8 29
1962 31.20 +7.8 -25.0 51
1963 32.96 +5.6 -25.6 33
1964 34.35 +4.2 -26.0 34
1965 35.90 +4.5 -37.7 44
1966 36.35 +1.3 -32.4 61
1967 38.18 +5.0 -32.0 29
1968 41.73 +9.3 -57.3 70
1969 43.45 +4.1 -24.9 26
1970 44.10 +1.5 -16.5 10
1971 43.94 -0.4 -4.3 4

Mr. Leadbitter

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the total coal production figures for the years 1970 and 1971.

Mr. Ridley

Total coal produced in 1971 was 144.7 million tons and in 1970 it was 142.3 million tons.