HC Deb 28 February 1966 vol 725 cc235-6W
Mr. Younger

asked the President of the Board of Trade what plans he now has for providing jobs for those who will be put out of work by forthcoming pit closures in South Ayrshire.

Mr. Darling

I understand that the National Coal Board will offer alternative employment within daily travelling distance of their homes to most of the men effected by colliery closures in South Ayrshire. An advance factory now being built at Cumnock has already been allocated and the Board of Trade are negotiating the purchase of another industrial site there. Negotiations are also in hand for a site for an advance factory at Girvan. I very much hope that these developments will provide ample employment for those miners who are unable to remain in the coal industry.