§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish a table in the Official Report showing the cost to the NCB of the separate wage settlesments negotiated with miners' representatives over the past five years, the annual increases in productivity and the percentage wage and salaries represented in total industry costs.
§ Mr. EadieI have been asked to reply.
The information is being obtained and I will reply as soon as possible.
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will compare the cost to the National Coal Board of its current offer to the miners and that claimed by both the Scottish and Yorkshire coal miners.
§ Mr. EadieI have been asked to reply.
Scottish and Yorkshire miners have been reported as suggesting a figure of £25 a week above current threshold payments. This would have cost the board £316 million a year. The proposed settlement will cost the Board £135 million a year in addition to the cost of living threshold payments already being made.