§ 33 and 34. Mr. Eadieasked the Minister of Power how many miners will become redundant in Scotland if his recent reviewed target of production for the coalmining industry is put nito effect;
(2) what he estimates will be the number of pits in Scotland involved in closure if his recent review of the target of production for the coalmining industry is realised.
§ Mr. FreesonIt will be for the National Coal Board to determine the number of collieries in Scotland which will have to be closed in the light of the 411W estimated future requirements of coal, to which my right hon. Friend referred in the House on 18th July. The number of miners becoming redundant will depend on the individual closures and the success of the Board in redeploying those affected.
§ 37. Mr. Shinwellasked the Minister of Power what further pit closures have been notified to him as being expected in the County of Durham in the next three years; and the estimated redundancy in manpower during that period.
§ Mr. MarshThe National Coal Board have so far given me the names of 5 collieries which were to be closed in the near future; the closure of 2 of these has been temporarily postponed as a result of the recent agreement with the Prime Minister and the other three are closing as a result of exhaustion.
It is too early to give any accurate estimate of redundancy up to the end of 1970 since the number of miners made redundant will depend on which individual collieries have to close and the ability of the Board to redeploy those affected.
41. Dr. Bennettasked the Minister of Power what will be the cost to public funds of the keeping open of the coal mines that were due to have been closed this year and next; and what will be the cost per annum for a full year of those retentions.
§ Mr. MarshThe question of how much of the cost of deferring closures should be borne by public funds is still under consideration.