§ Mr. Varleyasked the Minister of Power whether the plan of the National Coal Board to close a further 120 pits by 1970 was approved by him before being announced; and how this plan fits in with the Government's fuel policy.
§ Mr. Ness Edwardsasked the Minister of Power how many of the pits to be closed under the newly announced accelerated programme of pit closures are located in the South Wales coalfield area.
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§ Mr. Swainasked the Minister of Power (1) how many men will have to be redeployed as a result of pit closures and concentrations in the East Midlands during 1967; to which pits they will be sent; and what type of employment will be available;
(2) how many pits are to be closed in the East Midlands during 1967; and in which areas they are situated.
§ Mr. FreesonThe closure of a further 120 pits by 1970, referred to by the Chairman of the National Coal Board, is part of the programme announced in the House in November, 1965 during the Second Reading of the Coal Industry Bill. It is consistent with the Government's fuel policy, an important part of which is to concentrate coal production at the most highly productive pits. The National Coal Board is responsible for individual pit closures, which are finally decided after consultation with the Unions, and for the redeployment of miners within the industry.