§ Mr. Sillarsasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the present coal mining labour force in the United Kingdom; and how the figures compare with each of the last three years.
§ Mr. RidleyThe number of mineworkers at National Coal Board mines on 17th April, 1971 was 285,743. This compares with 294,543; 316,915; and 360,162 at the corresponding time in 1970, 1969 and 1968 respectively.