§ Mr. Harperasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will publish figures showing the extent of 159W the coal industry's loss of manpower in each of the four years ending in October 1973, showing how many cases were due to having reached retirement age, how many to incapacity grounds, and how many to voluntary resignations ;
MANPOWER WASTAGE FROM NATIONAL COAL BOARD COLLIERIES 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 Deaths … 2,593 2,470 2,204 1,866 1,602 1,606 1,422 1,434 1,449 Retirement … 8,178 7,809 7,307 6,186 4,153 3,823 3,542 3,337 3,135 Medical reasons … 10,079 9,762 7,577 6,208 4,997 4,255 4,000 2,958 2,631 Dismissals and redundancies … 4,488 5,843 10,969 29,084 12,870 9,986 7,704 9,477 8,290 Voluntary wastage … 44,902 39,893 28,168 29,175 24,673 22,812 17,248 10,186 17,889
NEWLY EMPLOYED RECRUITS TO NATIONAL COAL BOARD COLLIERIES 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 13,163 13,127 11,384 6,144 9,650 11,009 15,048 5,670 7,920 The figures for 1965–1969 inclusive are for year ending 31st December The figures for 1970–1973 inclusive are for year ending 30th September
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will give a list of the dates when he has had discussions with the National Coal Board on its general plans, including future capacity of the industry ; what were the results of these discussions ; and what action he has taken regarding the same.
§ Mr. Tom BoardmanWe have frequent discussions with the board about its general plans, but, as my right hon. Friend informed the hon. Member for South Ayrshire (Mr. Sillars) on 2nd November—[Vol. 863, c.37.]—the decisions about the future capacity of the industry are much too important to be rushed. A statement will be made when they are concluded.