§ 24. Dr. Millerasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, following the internal inquiry conducted by the National Coal Board into disclosures arising from an internal document submitted by a senior employee of the National Coal Board's operational research executive in which as part of his normal duties he made certain allegations as to the board's procedures in respect of the purchasing, stocking and maintaining of powered roof supports, if he will take steps to investigate this matter in the form of a public inquiry.
§ Mr. Tom BoardmanNo. This matter has been investigated by the board's independent auditors who are appointed by the Government. Their report found that there was no substance in the allegations but made some suggestions for detailed improvements in procedures which the board is considering. I see no need for a further inquiry into these allegations but I welcome the board's decision, of which I informed the House on 26th February, to ask independent experts to conduct a general review of its purchasing procedures.