§ 19. Mr. Haynesasked the Secretary of State for Energy what is his assessment of the effects on the economy of the miners' dispute.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerThe principal effect of this needless dispute is the damage it is doing to the future prospects of the coal industry itself. The whole economy would benefit greatly from a viable and competitive coal industry in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerI understand from the National Coal Board that, as of the morning shift on 18 July, there were 42 pits working normally; a further four pits which had been working normally were then on holiday. Another five pits (plus three on holiday) were producing some coal.
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Energy how many collieries in the United Kingdom have been placed at risk since the beginning of the coal dispute; and if he will now give in the Official Report details of location, tonnage involved, the number of miners affected and plant and machinery lost.
§ Mr. Giles ShawThe board informs me that its main concern for the immediate future is that individual faces and other workplaces, rather than entire collieries, are at risk. I understand that its latest assessment of collieries where faces are most affected includes:
Area Collieries Scottish Barony, Bilston Glen, Castlehill Comrie, Killock, Seafield NE Bates, Dawdon, Herrington, Murton Doncaster Askem, Brodsworth, Hatfield, Markham Barnsley Houghton, Kinsley, Woolley S. Yorkshire Manton, Treeton N. Derbyshire Shirebrook, Warsop S. Midlands Tilmanstone S. Wales Bedwas, Celynen South, St. Johns In addition, a face has already been lost at each of: Bentley, Rossington, Highgate, Tilmanstone, Bold and Penrikyber collieries.