§ Mr. Tebbitasked the Secretary of State for Energy, during the period since the implementation of the latest pay agreement, by what percentage pay and other emoluments of the National Coal Board staff has increased ; and by what percentage the coal produced by the National Coal Board staff has increased. over the amounts for the equivalent period 12 months earlier.
§ Mr. Eadie:I am asking the chairman of the National Coal Board to write to the hon. Member on the question of pay and other emoluments. Production of deep-mined coal by the National Coal Board was some 0 .6 per cent, greater in the period since 1st April 1978, by which date most of the area productivity agreements had been fully implemented, than it was for the corresponding period in 1977, despite the fact that there were 7.000 fewer men in the industry ; and, as noted in the reply to the hon. Member for Rushcliffe (Mr. Clarke) on 23rd November, there has been a significant further improvement recently.