§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Energy how many jobs have been lost in the mining industry since March 1985.
§ Mr. David HuntBetween the end of March 1985 and 25 January 1986 there was a reduction of some 31,000 in the number of men on NCB colliery books.
§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Energy how many collieries have been closed since March 1985; and what is the approximate number of tonnes of capacity which have been lost as a result of these closures.
§ Mr. David HuntI understand from the National Coal Board that 24 pits have closed since the end of March 1985. Questions of mining capacity are matters for the National Coal Board.