HC Deb 20 June 1973 vol 858 cc141-2W
Mr. Mason

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are the figures for changes in output per man-shift in the coalmining industry, both at the coalface and overall during the course of the last 12 months.

Mr. Emery

The relevant figures are:

OUTPUT PER MANSHIFT AT NCB MINES
Face (cwts)

Overall
June 1972 148.19 45.51
July 1972 143.06 42.95
August 1972 142.84 41.84
September 1972 143.66 44.28
October 1972 149.02 46.21
November 1972 150.88 46.75
December 1972 153.70 47.81
January 1973 151.99 47.29
February 1973 153.62 47.56
March 1973 156.75 48.27
April 1973 153.93 46.99
May 1973 158.41 47.66
12 months ended 20th May 1972* 139.65 42.21
12 months ended 26th May 1973 150.65 45.95
change + 11.00 + 3.74
(+8%) (+ 9%)
* The figures were depressed by the miners' industrial action

Mr. Mason

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what, in view of the present level of stocks of distributed and undistributed coal and a summer's stockpiling still to come, will be his policy when total stocks exceed 40 million tons.

Mr. Tom Boardman

My Department is keeping a close watch on the movements in stock levels and to date there is nothing which warrants a change in the Government's coal policy.

Mr. Mason

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if, in view of the level of stocks of coal at pit heads and at power stations, he will give consideration to issuing a general direction to the CEGB to halt the conversion of coal-fired power stations to oil, to re-convert those which have dual-firing equipment back to coal, and to build more coal-fired stations.

Mr. Tom Boardman

I keep energy policy under continuous review. The availability of coal is only one of many factors affecting the fuelling of power stations. The present level of coal stocks does not justify the fundamental changes suggested by the right hon. Member.

Mr. Mason

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will now seek to ban imports of coal from all non-EEC countries.

Mr. Tom Boardman

No. Imports are currently at the rate of only about 2 million tons a year, and about half consists of qualities of coking coal not available from British mines.