asked the Secretary of State for Energy what steps he has taken to encourage the National Coal Board to employ additional young people in the current year.

Recruiting policy is a matter for the National Coal Board and I am asking the Chairman to write to the Hon. Member. However, I understand that some 37 per cent. of all recruitment in the first 33 weeks of this year has been of juveniles.

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is his estimate of the total number of new recruits required in the mining industry in Scotland if the miners' retirement age was reduced to 60 years starting in 1978.

This is a question for the National Coal Board, and I am asking the Chairman to write to the hon. Member.