§ Mr. JannerTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on current employment in the coal mining industry.
§ Mr. Eggar[holding answer 19 January 1993]: The total number of people employed by British Coal at the end of December 1992 was 48,700. The total work force at deep mines licensed by British Coal at 30 September 1992—the latest available figure—was 1,683. No figures are held centrally for employees of contractors working at British Coal's own pits and opencast sites or of employment at opencast sites licensed by British Coal.