HC Deb 18 November 1974 vol 881 c290W
Mr. Sillars

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the manpower in the mining industry today compared with the same period in the last three years; and what is the number of pits now operating compared to the last three years.

Mr. Eadie

Figures of the number of National Coal Board wage-earners on colliery books are published monthly by my Department in Table 6 of the statistical bulletin "Energy Trends". The latest published figures together with corresponding figures for previous years are:

Total (Thousands) Under-ground
End-September—
1974 246 193
1973 252 199
1972 268 210
1971 283 220

The number of National Coal Board mines in operation at end-September 1974 was 251. Corresponding figures for previous years were:

End-September—
1973 266
1972 284
1971 290