§ Mr. Bruce-Gardyneasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the addition to the subsidisation of the finances of the National Coal Board which will be required to meet the cost of doubling the pension of retired miners.
§ Mr. Tom BoardmanIn the Coal Industry Bill we have proposed an Exchequer contribution of up to £25 million over three years, but the amount required within that limit cannot be calculated until the revised levels of pension and of contributions from the members of the pension scheme are settled. These matters are currently under nego-140W tiation between the National Coal Board and the National Union of Mineworkers.