§ Mr. Speirasked the Minister of Power how many men are today employed in small coal mines licensed by the National Coal Board; what is the estimated total annual output of coal from these mines; and what were the comparable figures for each of the previous five years.
§ Mr. Peyton4,805 men were employed in licensed mines on 30th June, 1962. The current annual rate of pro-6W duction is about 2¼ million tons. Comparable figures for the years 1956 to 1961 are as follows:
SMALL MINES LICENSED BY THE NATIONAL COAL BOARD — Average number of men employed Coal output (thousand tons) 1956 … 5,932 2,552 1957 … 6,274 2,618 1958 … 6,251 2,685 1959 … 6,310 2,715 1960 … 4,966 2,190 1961 … 4,665 2,276
§ Mr. Speirasked the Minister of Power how many licences have been issued by the National Coal Board this year, and during each of the past five years, to enable small coal mines to be worked in Great Britain.
§ Mr. PeytonI am asking the Chairman of the National Coal Board to write to my hon. Friend.