96. Mr. Ted Fletcherasked the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of the effect of the proposed 328W pit closures in the North-East, and of the number of new jobs that will be required in the region in the next three years.
§ Mr. DarlingThe number of new jobs required in the North-East will depend, among other factors, on the extent to which skilled mineworkers from the pits which will be closed accept the offers of the National Coal Board for further employment in the industry. My right hon. Friend will continue to make full use of his powers under the Local Employment Acts to encourage the provision of more employment generally in the North-East.