§ Mr. Gwynoro Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the number of miners involved in colliery closures in Carmarthenshire since 1955.
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§ Mr. Dudley SmithI regret the information is not available in the form requested. Since the middle of 1966 my Department has collected quarterly statistics of workers affected by colliery closures. These figures show that between 14th June, 1966, and 14th September, 1970, 160 workers in Carmarthenshire left the National Coal Board's employment following partial or total colliery closures.
More comprehensive information about changes in the number of jobs in coal mining can be obtained by comparing mid-year estimates of employees in employment. These figures show net changes only and there is no way of identifying jobs lost. Between mid-1955 and mid-1968 the estimated number of employees in employment in coal mining (MLH 101 of the Standard Industrial Classification) in Carmarthenshire declined by 3,700.