§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he intends to make for the purpose of providing alternative sources of industrial employment in regions affected by the coal pit closures proposed by the National Coal Board.
§ Mr. Trippier[pursuant to the reply, 8 February 1985, c. 747]: The location of any pit closures that may occur is a matter for the National Coal Board. Furthermore, the NCB has repeatedly said that there will be no compulsory redundancies during the current restructuring. The particular problems which may face areas affected by colliery closures are recognised by both the Government and the National Coal Board. The Government therefore welcomed the establishment by the board of NCB (Enterprise) Ltd to support and initiate job creation efforts in coal industry areas where unemployment is already substantial.
In addition, there is available the wide range of special employment and training measures operated by the Manpower Services Commission and, according to the area concerned, regional or national schemes to encourage new or extended industrial investment and thus more jobs.