§ Mr. Woofasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make an estimate of the cost of present efforts towards fuller automation in the mining industry, together with the safeguarding of a general improvement on miners' working conditions.
§ Mr. EadieThe NCB has a continuing programme of research and development which has the primary objective of improving the efficiency and safety of mining operations. During the current year the NCB plans to spend £6.3 million on revenue account on such research and development, of which about £1 million will be devoted to the application of automation to mining operations and approximately £1.75 million towards improving working conditions. A further 281W £0.6 million is allocated to capital account expenditure on these items. In addition the Government will be spending about £1.5 million at the Safety in Mines Research Establishment.