§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Wales what has been the total figure for job losses in the coal industry in Wales in each year since 1975.
§ Mr. Mark RobinsonA total figure for job losses in the coal industry in each year since 1975 is not available. The National Coal Board give the following figures for manpower on colliery books at Welsh pits:
36Waffiliations of the candidates; whether the extent to which account is taken of these varies according to the appointment concerned; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Mark RobinsonIn making appointments to public bodies, it is our policy to select the best person for the job bearing in mind all factors relevant to the post. It is not the practice for our Department to keep records of appointees' party political affiliations; in some cases an individual's political affiliations may be known, but more often they are not.