§ 6. Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Energy whether the terms of appointment of the chairman of the National Coal Board contain any conditions relating to the publication by him of any book relating to his period in office.
§ Mr. David HuntNo, Sir.
§ Mr. DalyellIs it true that about six months before Cortonwood, in the autumn of 1983, Mr. MacGregor and the Prime Minister discussed the scenario and politics of a long drawn out coal strike? That is a simple straightforward question.
§ Mr. MarlowWill my hon. Friend, even at this late stage, seek to include in the terms of appointment of the next chairman of the National Coal Board a requirement, given my hon. Friend's enthusiasm for privatisation, that we should move towards some areas of privatisation within the National Coal Board?
§ Mr. HuntI should make it clear to my hon. Friend that the Government have no plans for privatisation. Details of Mr. MacGregor's terms of appointment and remuneration are set out in the National Coal Board's annual report and accounts.
§ Mr. DouglasIn view of the remarks of my hon. Friend the Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell), will the Minister give an assurance that there is no hangover in Scotland of the vindictive attitude of Mr. MacGregor, especially in relation to the re-engagement of victimised mineworkers? Will he give assurances that the management structure, particularly in Scotland, will be subject to an independent investigation?
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. The question relates to a book. Is all this to be in the book?
§ Mr. DouglasI was referring to a hangover of the vindictive attitude of Mr. MacGregor, apparently displayed in the book.
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. The hon. Gentleman has asked his question. I think that we have grasped it.
§ Mr. HuntThe hon. Gentleman is inaccurate in his description of the attitude. In any event, it is a matter for the National Coal Board.
§ Mr. EadieWhy is the Minister being so coy with the House when he knows that it has been well trailered that Mr. MacGregor will get £100,000 for writing the book, in which he boasts and brags that, in the fictional style of Rambo, he was able to win the miners dispute? Why should the most expensive chairman of any nationalised industry be allowed such personal aggrandisement?