§ Mr. DobsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy how many men were working underground in private licensed mines in 1978–79 and each succeeding year.
§ Mr. WakehamThe British Coal Corporation's 1988–89 annual report and accounts provides a figure of 1,524 as the number of men employed underground in licensed deep mines at the end of 1988–89. The Department does not have figures for previous years. I have therefore asked the chairman of the British Coal Corporation, which is the licensing authority, to write to the hon. Member.