HC Deb 10 March 1976 vol 907 cc215-6W
Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards an early retirement scheme for coal miners; and how much money would be required to finance it if retirement was optional at the age of 55 years.

Mr. Eadie

In a universal scheme like the national insurance scheme, under which retirement pensions are paid, it is impracticable for different industries to have different retirement ages. Questions of early retirement under the Mine-workers Pension Scheme are the concern of the National Coal Board and the National Union of Mineworkers. I am asking the Chairman of the Board to write to the hon. Member about the costs which would be involved.