§ Mr. Urwinasked the Minister of Power how many vacancies currently exist for coal miners at collieries in the Northern Region; and if he will name the pits concerned.
§ Mr. FreesonAt present there are very few vacancies in the National Coal Board's Northumberland and Durham 237W Division. This is because about 1,000 men had to be redeployed from Lynemouth Colliery when it was temporarily closed after a fire in November, 1966 and because men must be absorbed from collieries which are closing in the Division.
There were 46 vacancies in the three Cumberland pits (Solway, Harrington and Haig) at the end of December, 1966.
§ Mr. Urwinasked the Minister of Power if he will estimate the number of coalminers recruited to the industry during 1966 to pits in the Northern Region; how many miners left the industry during the year; and what is the numerical strength of the labour force at 31st December, 1966 by comparison with 31st December, 1965.
§ Mr. FreesonThere were about 3,500 men recruited into the mining industry in the Northern Region during 1966. About 12,450 men left during the year and a further 800 men transferred to other coalfields. There were 80,400 men on colliery books at the end of December, 1966 compared with 90,150 men at the end of December, 1965.