Improved coal figures but no improvements for miners

THE Scottish Division of the National Coal Board reported recently that steady progress had been made in the Scottish area during 1964. Output per man shift increased to a record figure of 28.8 cwt. Compared with 1963, productivity increased by 5 per cent.

The improved production figures, however, did not spell out any benefit for the miners. Eleven pits were closed during the year and although the Coal Board claim that all except 220 of the men affected had been placed in other jobs, the fact remains that there was a drop of 41,000 in the number of men employed, compared with 1963.

FUTURE

In a statement on the problems facing the coal industry Lord Robens said that on the decision of the Minister of Fuel may rest the future of 43 Scottish pits employing 25,000 miners.

On the same day, Will Paynter, General Secretary of the National Union of Mineworkers also made a lengthy statement in the 'Daily Worker' in which he said 'miners were demonstrating with their From BOB SHAW feet their lack of confidence policies that have created uncertain future for them'.

Presumably here Paynter is referring to the policies of the National Coal Board. Elsewhere he refers to the policy of the National Union of Mineworkers being firmly opposed to closures.

He did not cite one single example where this policy has been seriously fought for by the leadership of the union. Neither does he state by what means, under his leadership, the union will fight against the new phase of pit closures with which he says the miners are now faced.

He states that many miners are critical of the union's attitude to closures; that they believe the more militant stand taken by the rail unions has resulted in the decision that closures will be decided by the government and not railway management.

This development, says Paynter, 'increases the likelihood of fiercer resistance to pit closures, particularly at local level'. Of his own fierce resistance he remains silent. He makes no mention of any intention to mobilise the powerful mineworkers' union in organised resistance to further attacks on the miners. His statement is a complete abdication of leadership.

Whilst calling for the immediate writing off of capital to reduce interest payments, Paynter says nothing about stopping the payment of compensation to the ex-owners and shareholders.

He completes his statement by saying: 'Our strong hope, [and as an afterthought adds] 'our demand, is that the problems of industry will be tackled by the government quickly, boldly and decisively' NO SOLUTION Miners cannot place any confidence in strong hopes. Hopes will not bring a solution to their problems.

They must demand that the organised strength of the National Union of Mineworkers is mobilised in an all-out fight to stop pit closures; that the Labour government immediately suspend all interest payments to exshareholders; that the oil industry be nationalized and the resources of coal and oil planned in such a way that not a single miner suffers any hardship as the result of the introduction of larger supplies of oil as a cheap source of fuel.

This is the only kind of fuel policy which will benefit the miners and the working class as a whole.