§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will tabulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT (a) the production of deep-mined coal in the United Kingdom in each of the years 1960 to 1973 and an estimate for 1974, (b) the total labour force employed in the production of deep-mined coal in each year of that period and (c) the revenue cost, excluding 9W interest and capital payments, of producing deep-mined coal in each year of that period.
§ Mr. EadieThe available information for past years is published in the National Coal Board's reports and accounts and in the Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics. I do not believe that it would be helpful to publish forecasts, but statistics of ouput and manpower are published monthly by my Department in "Energy Trends".
§ Mr. Hardyasked the Secretary of State for Energy how many mineworkers were employed by the National Coal Board at the most recent date for which figures are available and six months previously; and how many vacancies now require to be filled.
§ Mr. VarleyNumbers of men on colliery books were at 9th November 1974, 246,167; and at 11th May 1974, 244,954.
NCB vacancies notified to the Department of Employment at end September numbered 3,421.
§ Mr. MacFarlaneasked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he anticipates coal rationing this winter.
§ Mr. VarleyNo.