§ Mr. HainTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the British Coal pits which have closed since October 1992, with the date of closure and number of staff involved.
§ Mr. Charles WardleSince October 1992, British Coal has decided that it does not itself wish to keep in operation 34 pits. Silverwood colliery is currently operating but its closure has been agreed. Of the 34 pits, eight—Clipstone, Rossington, Calverton, Trentham, Markham Main, Silverdale, Betws and Hatfield—have reopened under lease and licence to the private sector and Annesley, Ellington and Tower collieries are subject to privatisation bids.
The 34 pits, the dates they ceased coal production and their industrial work force in October 1992 are given in the table:
1039W
Colliery Date ceased coaling Men on books October 1992 Annesley February 1994 814 Bentley December 1993 582 Betws January 1993 96 Bevercotes April 1993 737
Colliery Date ceased coaling Men on books October 1992 Bolsover April 1993 452 Calverton November 1993 694 Clipstone April 1993 894 Cotgrave October 1992 565 Easington May 1993 1,331 Ellington February 1994 1,607 Frickley November 1993 933 Goldthorpe February 1994 485 Grimethorpe October 1992 788 Hatfield December 1993 409 Houghton Main October 1992 396 Kiveton Park September 1994 715 Littleton December 1993 829 Manton February 1994 677 Markham June 1993 1,212 Markham Main October 1992 672 Ollerton February 1994 944 Parkside October 1992 716 Rossington April 1993 803 Rufford November 1993 735 Sharlston May 1993 695 Shirebrook April 1993 947 Silverdale December 1993 642 Silverhill October 1992 757 Taff Methyr October 1992 368 Tower April 1994 399 Trentham October 1992 1,420 Vane Tempest October 1992 873 Wearmouth December 1993 929 Westoe May 1993 1,170