HC Deb 08 February 1979 vol 962 cc247-8W
Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will compare the number of mines producing coal in 1965 and the latest date for which figures are available in the United Kingdom, the Federal Republic of West Germany, France and Belgium, showing the relationship of productivity with the size of mines.

Mr. Eadie

The number of mines producing hard coal in the United Kingdom, the Federal Republic of Germany, France and Belgium in 1965 and 1977 were:

End 1965 End 1977
United Kingdom 507 231*
Germany 107 43
France 70 26
Belgium 54 10
* 223 at end-1978.

Licensed mines in the United Kingdom, are excluded. Source: Statistical Office of the European Communities.

Comparable information is not available about the relationship between pro- ductivity and the size of mines in the different countries.