HC Deb 18 April 1988 vol 131 c318W
Dr. Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people are at present employed in(a) the north Wales coalfield and (b) the south Wales coalfield; and what are the corresponding figures for 1978, 1968 and 1958.

Mr. Peter Walker

Available data are National Coal Board/British Coal estimates of the numbers on colliery books.

North Wales (Thousands) South Wales1 (Thousands)
1958 29.1 399.6
1968 23.6 350.6
1978 41.2 429.0
1987 41.0 410.2
1 Includes Forest of Dean (1958), Somerset (1958 and 1968).
2 Calendar year average, includes Ifton colliery, Shropshire.
3 Time of year unknown.
4 At 31 March.