§ Lord WYNNE-JONESMy Lords, on behalf of the noble Earl, Lord Lauderdale, who is unable to be present, partly because of the inclemency of the weather and partly because of the certainty of our railway situation, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in his name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have any plans to develop their tripartite consultative machinery with the National Coal Board and National Union of Mineworkers so as to ensure its continued effectiveness throughout the period of the industry's necessary service of the nation's energy requirements when oil supplies from the United Kingdom Continental Shelf decline.
§ Lord STRABOLGIMy Lords, the Government regard the tripartite machinery as a most useful—indeed, an essential —feature of its relations with the coal industry. There are no present plans for any particular developments in the constitution or functions of the tripartite machinery, which so far have proved flexible enough to deal with a considerable variety of matters. For example, the Research and Development Working Party published a report in May, 1978, which has led to important new Government commitments, and currently a newly formed sub-committee is studying the prospects and problems of the South Wales coalfield.
§ Lord WYNNE-JONESMy Lords, on behalf of the noble Earl, Lord Lauderdale, I wish to thank my noble 1320 friend for his Answer. I think that the noble Earl would wish to put the further question to my noble friend as to whether the Government—and I think that he would also direct the question towards the Opposition—intend to keep the tripartite machinery in operation. The noble Earl feels strongly that it is vital for the future of the coal industry in this country, and indeed the energy situation, that there should be agreement on this matter. May I ask my noble friend whether he would confirm that, so far as the Government are concerned, it is their intention to see that the tripartite machinery remains as a vital part of the machinery of coal policy? I hope that the Front Bench opposite will not disagree.
§ Lord STRABOLGIYes, certainly, my Lords; I am glad to confirm that. Since the original inception of the tripartite machinery, all strategic plans have been matters for discussion in the tripartite group.
§ Lord HAILSHAM of SAINT MARY-LEBONEMy Lords, will the noble Lord agree that there has been, so far, a splendid example of tripartite machinery from the noble Lord, Lord Wynne-Jones, and the Government operating on my noble friend's Question?