§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the increase in wages offered to miners under phase 3; and what would be the difference between the minimum and average wage if the offer were accepted.
§ Mr. Tom BoardmanIncreased basic rates of £2.57 for underground workers and £2.30 for those on the surface, with two-thirds of those increases for juveniles under 18; shift allowances of 17p per hour for all men who work between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.; improved holiday pay; an extra day's holiday on New Year's Day and improved death, retirement and incapacity benefits under the Mineworkers Pensions Scheme. The board is also ready to negotiate an efficiency payments scheme which could give up to one half558W of the increase allowed under the pay limit and a threshold agreement in accordance with the pay code. If the offer were accepted, the difference between the minimum and average wage would be about £6.40, assuming that in each case the same number of night hours is worked.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will publish for the longest stated period of time as is convenient details giving the number of miners employed in the pits at stated times, the number of pits in operation, and the number closed; and if he will give a general direction to the National Coal Board to reopen these pits in view of the national energy situation.
§ Mr. Tom BoardmanI do not propose to give a general direction to the National Coal Board to reopen closed collieries but shall continue to discuss with the board its general plans, including future capacity of the industry.
The information requested is as follows:
Year ended December Average number of mineworkers employed (thousands) Number of producing collieries at end December Number of collieries closed 1947 703.9 958 21 1948 716.5 940 35 1949 712.5 912 31 1950 690.8 901 22 1951 692.6 896 10 1952 709.7 880 11 1953 707.4 875 18 1954 701.8 867 19 1955 698.7 850 22 1956 697.4 840 14 1957 703.8 822 19 1958 692.7 793 28 1959 658.2 737 53 1960 602.1 698 35 1961 570.5 669 29 1962 550.9 616 52
Year ended March Average number of mineworkers employed (thousands) Number of producing collieries at end March Number of collieries closed 1964 517.0 576 40 1965 491.0 534 40 1966 455.7 483 52 1967 419.4 438 46 1968 391.9 376 51 1969 336.3 317 55 1970 305.1 299 19 1971 287.2 292 6 1972 281.5 289 3 1973 268.0 281 8