asked the Secretary of State for Energy what has been the percentage increase in productivity and the percentage increase in wages and salaries in the coal industry since the implementation of the National Coal Board's productivity pay scheme.

Over the past six weeks for which figures are available face productivity was over 12 per cent. and overall productivity 7 per cent. more than the corresponding period a year ago, that is, immediately prior to the introduction of the productivity scheme. The real improvement is, however, almost certainly greater since—and this is encouraging for the industry—the previous declining trend in productivity has been reversed.On the question of wages and salaries, I am asking the chairman of the National Coal Board to write to the hon. Member.