HC Deb 11 December 1968 vol 775 c179W
Mr. Swain

asked the Minister of Power what average profit was made per ton of opencast coal produced since 1st January, 1968.

Mr. Freeson

I would ask my hon. Friend to await the National Coal Board's financial results for the first half of the current financial year which will be published on 19th December. They will include the profit on the 36 million tons of opencast coal produced during the half-year.

Mr. Swain

asked the Minister of Power how many men were employed in the production of opencast coal in the years 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967 and 1968.

Mr. Mason

The numbers, as at the end of September in each year, were:

1963 3,718
1964 … … … 3,597
1965 … … … 3,572
1966 … … … 3,593
1967 … … … 3,595
1968 … … … 3,275

Mr. Swain

asked the Minister of Power what is the total of opencast coal in stock on 30th November, 1968.

Mr. Mason

Undistributed stocks totalled 4. 35 million tons at 30th November, 1968.