HC Deb 24 February 1992 vol 204 cc672-3
10. Mr. Haynes

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he last met the chairman of British Coal to discuss redundancy payments for mineworkers.

Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

We meet the chairman of British Coal on a regular basis to discuss all aspects of the coal industry.

Mr. Haynes

I am not surprised that the Minister has not mentioned redundancy payments for miners when they are closing pits willy-nilly. You know, Mr. Speaker, they would complain like billy-o on the Treasury Bench if we docked their redundancy payments. Yet they are using blackmail on miners to vote to close pits earlier than they year that had been decided on so that they can close the pit down and they have cut the redundancy payments for miners. They should be ashamed of themselves. What are they going to do about it?

Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

If I heard the hon. Gentleman correctly, he suggested that redundancy pay for displaced miners was excessively generous. That is a curious message from the Labour party, although it is true that Opposition this year voted against the Coal Industry Bill, which provides for the continuation of those generous payments to redundant miners. Miners all over the country will know that the Labour party voted against those terms.

Mr. Haynes

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Due to the unsatisfactory reply from the Minister, I shall apply for an Adjournment debate.