§ 51. Mr. Blenkinsopasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is his estimate of the proportion of redundant miners of 55 years of age or over that have found work; and what fresh proposals he is making for those remaining out of work.
§ Mr. Dudley SmithI understand from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry that about 6 per cent. of the workers aged 55 and over who have benefited from the Redundant Mineworkers Payments Scheme have returned to coalmining or found fresh employment in other industries. Many of the older ex-coalminers are in development and intermediate areas and their prospects of finding employment should be improved as a result of the new training grants scheme we announced on 4th November.