Pit Closures (Hansard, 21 October 1992)

§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Baroness Denton of Wakefield)
My Lords, the noble Lord may recall that in the Statement I made in the House on Monday I set out the steps now to be followed in relation to the pit closures announced by British Coal last week. British Coal will, of course, be fully involved in that process, in addition to the usual ongoing contacts between government and the corporation about this and other matters.

§ Lord Dormand of Easington
My Lords, in view of the Government's devastating defeat last night, may we have an assurance from the Minister that the views of this House will be conveyed fully to British Coal and the Prime Minister? Will the Minister and the Leader of the House stress not just the figures at the end of the debate but the fact that the Government's case for closing pits was demolished completely by the excellent speeches made in this Chamber by those who oppose the proposal, and that the House was speaking for the overwhelming majority of the people of this country?

§ Baroness Denton of Wakefield
My Lords, I am afraid that I must disagree with the noble Lord's summing up of yesterday, but I can assure him that the views of the House have been conveyed to the 748 appropriate quarter and I am sure they will be fully taken into account in the debate in another place today.

§ Lord Mason of Barnsley
My Lords, has any member of the Government recently had discussions with British Coal about its further plans to close another seven pits? Secondly, is it true that the Government have advised British Coal that no development work should be financed in any of the pits on the closure list?

§ Baroness Denton of Wakefield
My Lords, yesterday the noble Lord told me facts that were unknown to the department, such as the number of pits that would be left after the review. He is again drawing attention to facts of which I have no knowledge.

§ Lord Mason of Barnsley
My Lords, and the second question, that Her Majesty's Government have advised British Coal not to finance any development?

§ Baroness Denton of Wakefield
My Lords, I am sorry, but I referred to facts of which I have no knowledge.

§ Lord Taylor of Gryfe
My Lords, in view of the fact that between 4,900 and 7,000 jobs in British Rail's transport of coal are involved, will consultations take place with British Rail on the consequences of pit closures? In view of the projected privatisation of sectors of British Rail, including freight, have the Government measured the impact of the loss of 62 per cent. of the freight traffic involved in those closures? What impact will that have on prospects for the privatisation of that sector?

§ Baroness Denton of Wakefield
My Lords, I confirm the statement I made yesterday that the effect on rail freight will be fully taken into account in the review.

§ Lord Williams of Elvel
My Lords, does the Minister accept that last night the House passed, on a Division, a Motion to resolve certain matters—namely, that an independent inquiry should be set up? What do the Government think about the status of the House if they wholly disregard the opinion of the House as expressed on a Division?

§ Baroness Denton of Wakefield
My Lords, I assure the noble Lord, Lord Williams, that no one is ignoring the view of the House. The constitutional position of the House is clear. I am sorry that he thinks that last night's vote is not being taken into account.

§ Lord Williams of Elvel
My Lords, if I may press the Minister for a moment, does that mean that the Government will appoint an independent inquiry?

§ Baroness Denton of Wakefield
My Lords, as I said earlier, the debate and the resolution of the House last night will be taken fully into account in discussions in another place. I am afraid I have to confess to the noble Lord that I am not psychic.

§ Lord Williams of Elvel
My Lords, psychic or not, as a result of the Division last night, will the Government now undertake to accept an independent inquiry? We are a House of Parliament.

§ Baroness Denton of Wakefield
My Lords, I repeat, it will be given proper consideration.

§ Lord Stoddart of Swindon
My Lords, the Minister may not be psychic but she is certainly evasive. We are asking for an answer to a perfectly reasonable question. If the Government will not have an independent inquiry, will they say what they have to hide?

§ Baroness Denton of Wakefield
My Lords, I am sorry that people's memories seem a little short. As we said last night, there will be a full review of issues that will be brought to the House to be discussed. The Government have nothing to hide.

§ Lord Strabolgi
My Lords, is the noble Baroness aware that a merchant bank is advising the Government and also advising the gas interests over this affair? Does she not think there is a conflict of interest here?

§ Baroness Denton of Wakefield
My Lords, there are noble Lords in this House who understand the merchant banking system much better than I. However, I am quite certain that advisers advise and the Government take decisions.