National Coal Board (Hansard, 29 March 1976)

§ Mr. Mike Thomas
asked the Secretary of State for Energy what are his estimates of the surplus or deficit to be made by the National Coal Board in the current and the next financial year.

§ Mr. Eadie
The NCB is expected to break even this year without operational grants by the Government. The Board aims to break even in the coming financial year, too, but the level of operational grants by the Government has yet to be settled.

§ Mr. Biffen
asked the Secretary of State for Energy if, in the interests of more open government, he will publish in the Official Report the text of his letter concerning executive appointments in the National Coal Board, those organisations to which it was sent and what replies have been received.

§ Mr. Benn
The text of the letter 1 sent on 10th March to the National 347W Union of Mineworkers, the National Association of Colliery Overmen Deputies and Shotfirers and to the British Association of Colliery Management is given below, together with the enclosures. To date I have had replies from the first two.
10th March 1976 I enclose a list of appointments that it falls to me to make to the NCB as and when vacancies arise.

SCHEDULE SHOWING BOARD MEMBERS APPOINTMENTS—POSITION AT 1ST MARCH 1976 NATIONAL COAL BOARD

Date and age at expiry of present Appointment

Name Date of Birth Post Salary Range Date of First Appointment Reappointed Date Age

Sir Derek Ezra 23. 2.19 Chairman £23,100 3. 7.71 — 2. 7.76 57

Mr. N. Siddall 4. 5.18 Deputy Chairman £19,100 1.10.73 — 30. 9.78 60

Mr. L. Grainger 8. 8.17 Full-time Scientific £12,600 to £17,600 1. 6.66 1. 6.71 31. 5.76 58

Mr. G. C. Shephard 2. 8.15 Full-time Industrial Relations 1. 1.69 1. 1.74 31.12.76 61

Mr. D. M. Clement 6. 2.11 Full-time 3. 1.69 3. 1.74 3. 4.76 65

Finance

Mr. W. L. Miron 27. 1.13 Full-time Regional 5. 7.71 — 4. 7.76 63

Mr. D. Davies 13. 2.24 Full-time Marketing 1.10.73 — 30. 9.78 54

Mr. L. J. Mills 1.10.20 Full-time Mining 1. 1.74 — 31.12.78 58

Vacancy — — — — — — —

Sir Jack Wellings 16. 8.17 Part-time member ^* 5. 7.71 5. 7.74 4. 7.77 60

Mr. P. H. Robinson 1926 Part-time member £1,000 1.10.73 — 30. 9.76 50

Mr. R. F. Richardson 15. 7.13 Part-time member ^* 1. 1.75 — 31.12.77 64

Mr. K. J. Griffin 1. 8.28 Part-time member ^* 1. 3.76 — 28. 2.79 51

Two further vacancies — — — — — — —

^* Salary not drawn.

Statutory Complement … … Chairman plus 8–14 members

Existing Strength … … Chairman plus 11 members

SCHEDULE SHOWING BOARD MEMBERS APPOINTMENTS—POSITION AT 1ST MARCH 1976 NATIONAL COAL BOARD
						Date and age at expiry of present Appointment
Name	Date of Birth	Post	Salary Range	Date of First Appointment	Reappointed	Date	Age
Sir Derek Ezra	23. 2.19	Chairman	£23,100	3. 7.71	—	2. 7.76	57
Mr. N. Siddall	4. 5.18	Deputy Chairman	£19,100	1.10.73	—	30. 9.78	60
Mr. L. Grainger	8. 8.17	Full-time Scientific	£12,600 to £17,600	1. 6.66	1. 6.71	31. 5.76	58
Mr. G. C. Shephard	2. 8.15	Full-time Industrial Relations	1. 1.69	1. 1.74	31.12.76	61
Mr. D. M. Clement	6. 2.11	Full-time	3. 1.69	3. 1.74	3. 4.76	65
		Finance
Mr. W. L. Miron	27. 1.13	Full-time Regional	5. 7.71	—	4. 7.76	63
Mr. D. Davies	13. 2.24	Full-time Marketing	1.10.73	—	30. 9.78	54
Mr. L. J. Mills	1.10.20	Full-time Mining	1. 1.74	—	31.12.78	58
Vacancy	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Sir Jack Wellings	16. 8.17	Part-time member	^*	5. 7.71	5. 7.74	4. 7.77	60
Mr. P. H. Robinson	1926	Part-time member	£1,000	1.10.73	—	30. 9.76	50
Mr. R. F. Richardson	15. 7.13	Part-time member	^*	1. 1.75	—	31.12.77	64
Mr. K. J. Griffin	1. 8.28	Part-time member	^*	1. 3.76	—	28. 2.79	51
Two further vacancies	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
^* Salary not drawn.

Statutory Complement	…	…	Chairman plus 8–14 members
Existing Strength	…	…	Chairman plus 11 members