asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will pay particular attention to the problem of finding alternative work in mining communities for men whose physical condition or age have obliged them to leave the mining industry.

I am aware of the problems facing workers obliged to leave the mining industry through age or infirmity. A great deal is already done by my Department's employment, disabled resettlement and training services for people in this position. In addition

ALL INDUSTRIES AND SERVICES—AVERAGE GROSS WEEKLY EARNINGS
FULL-TIME MANUAL MEN, 21 AND OVER, WHOSE PAY WAS NOT AFFECTED BY ABSENCE
		Great Britain	England and Wales	Scotland	(iii) as percentage of (i)	(iii) as percentage of (ii)
		(i)	(ii)	(iii)	(iv)	(v)
		£	£	£
April 1970	…	26·80	26·90	25·70	95·9	95·5
April 1973	…	38·10	38·20	37·10	97·4	97·1

Comparisons of average earnings for different areas are affected by influences such as variation in the pattern of industry and they may not therefore give a precise indication of differences in earnings for comparable work.