§ Mr. Christopher Hawkinsasked the Secretary of State for Energy whether the terms of his assurance about Government financial support for the National Coal Board set out in his answer of 19 June 1985 to the hon. Member for Enfield, Southgate (Mr. Portillo), apply to 1986–87 also.
§ Mr. David HuntLower oil prices have increased the competitive pressure on the coal industry. Nevertheless, it remains the board's objective to break even on revenue account by 1987–88, and to earn a positive return thereafter on its assets in real terms after the payment of social grants.
I can confirm that, subject to Parliament's approving the necessary provisions, the Government will continue to
554W
Table 1—Labour Force Survey data on employees* aged 16–19 by occupational groupings, in Great Britain Male Female Full-time† (thousands) Part-time† (thousands) Full-time† (thousands) Part-time† (thousands) CODOT broad groupings—1979 Managerial and professional 93 .. 58 .. Clerical and related 83 .. 378 11 Other non-manual occupations 54 13 107 37 Craft and similar occupations 390 .. 80 .. General labourers 55 .. 7 .. Other manual occupations 325 20 204 24 TOTAL‡ 1,002 41 838 75 CODOT broad groupings—1981 Managerial and professional 74 .. 53 .. Clerical and related 69 .. 335 22 Other non-manual occupations 57 40 104 91 Craft and similar occupations 351 .. 57 .. General labourers 35 .. .. .. Other manual occupations 251 64 173 63 TOTAL‡ 840 122 727 181 CODOT broad groupings—1983 Managerial and professional 62 .. 48 .. Clerical and related 57 .. 273 26 Other non-manual occupations 49 37 86 91 Craft and similar occupations 277 .. 45 .. General labourers 42 .. .. .. Other manual occupations 252 65 157 79 TOTAL‡ 742 114 616 200 CODOT broad groupings—1984 Managerial and professional 62 .. 49 .. Clerical and related 62 11 277 34 Other non-manual occupations 49 55 96 100 Craft and similar occupations 287 .. 46 .. General labourers 40 .. .. .. Other manual occupations 266 82 179 97 TOTAL‡ 768 163 652 236 make available funds to enable the NCB to meet its obligations as they fall due during the board's current financial year to 28 March 1987.