HC Deb 16 February 1987 vol 110 cc649-50
15. Sir Kenneth Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement about the activities of British Coal Enterprise Ltd.

Mr. David Hunt

I am pleased to report that British Coal Enterprise has just approved its 1,000th project. At the end of January the company had committed £22.1 million and had helped to create nearly 14,000 new job opportunities.

Sir Kenneth Lewis

I congratulate my hon. Friend on his answer. When I first entered the House 30 years ago it was the aim of most people to get as many underground workers as possible out of the mines because it was such a rough, dirty and nasty job. It is rather nice to know that British Coal Enterprise is proving that it can provide alternative jobs. Will my hon. Friend keep up the good work?

Mr. Hunt

I shall certainly pass my hon. Friend's generous comments to the management of British Coal Enterprise. I stress once again that the Government are committed to the success of that company.