§ 56. Mr. Kelleyasked the Minister of Power if he will take steps to set up an arbitration procedure to decide questions of pit closures where a difference of opinion arises between the National Coal Board and the National Union of Mine-workers.
§ Dr. BrayNo. Consultation with the unions is carried to the furthest practical limits but the final decision on individual closures must be a matter for the National Coal Board.
§ Sir C. Osborneasked the Minister of Power what action he now proposes, in view of the dispute between the National Coal Board and the National Union of Mineworkers Area Council, as expressed by its decision at Barnsley on Tuesday 18th October not to accept the decision to close the two collieries at Monckton, near Barnsley, in view of the money spent in these pits in recent years, and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MarshThe Government have approved the policy of concentrating 149W coal production on economic pits, but the decision on the closure of particular pits rests with the National Coal Board. I understand that the Board have informed the National Union of Mine-workers at national level of their final decision to close the two New Monckton pits, and I am asking the Chairman of the Board to write to the hon. Member.