Whitburn Pit, County Durham (Redundant Miners)

Oral Answers to Questions — Ministry of Labour – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 11 April 1968.

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Photo of Mr Arthur Blenkinsop Mr Arthur Blenkinsop , South Shields 12:00, 11 April 1968

asked the Minister of Labour what retraining facilities will be offered to miners losing their jobs when the Whitburn pit in County Durham is closed.

Photo of Mr Roy Hattersley Mr Roy Hattersley , Birmingham Sparkbrook

I understand that a large number of these miners wil be offered jobs at adjoining pits and that comparatively few of them are likely to require work outside coalmining. Where retraining at operator level is required, it can usually best be given by their new employers, with help of the Industrial Training Boards and of the Government grants which are available to assist such training in development areas. Those miners who want and are suitable for the accelerated training for skill given by Government training centres will be able to obtain it at the Felling Centre or at any other of the 38 centres where the trade of their choice is taught.

Photo of Mr Arthur Blenkinsop Mr Arthur Blenkinsop , South Shields

Will my hon. Friend give an assurance that the more than 200 men over 55 will not be excepted from the opportunity of having training courses merely by reason of the fact of pension facilities?

Photo of Mr Roy Hattersley Mr Roy Hattersley , Birmingham Sparkbrook

I give my right hon. Friend that assurance with pleasure, and I give the assurance to men over 55 that their age is no reason to assume that they are not suitable for training.