§ 72. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister of Technology what, for the latest convenient stated period, was the number of pit closures that have taken place and the number of miners declared redundant; whether, in view of the fact that an initial export order of £500,000 was refused by the National Coal Board due to lack of coal supplies, he will refuse consent to further closures; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Harold LeverSince 1st April this year there have been 14 closures and some 6,000 redundancies. Decisions about the closure of individual collieries are a matter for the National Coal Board.